6.03 Honors: Transmission and Treatment

The Honors student will:

• investigate the bacterial disease typhoid and it's spread by examining an event in history

Hi! I was just headed down to the barn. We have a horse that has a bacterial respiratory infection much like pneumonia in humans. The veterinarian just pulled up, and I need to meet him down there.

At any rate, we've got to get it under control so it doesn't spread. We've isolated the sick horse so that the coughs and saliva do not infect the other animals in the barn. In this part of your activity today, you're going to investigate the spread of another bacterial disease. So ... put on your thinking hats and get ready to dig into an interesting story. See what controversies you can uncover in your investigation. Open and print a Notes Page to record your findings.

Typhoid Mary

This is the story of a woman named Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary. Basically, she was a healthy person who "carried" a very deadly disease.

You will investigate her story, and you will participate in a discussion on the controversy surrounding the events of Mary Mallon's life, following your guided research.

Investigative Step 1: What is Typhoid?

Typhoid is a bacterial infection. Learn more about Typhoid Fever at the Center of Disease Control website.

CDC: Typhoid Fever

Add the following question to your Notes Page and add the answers.

1. How is typhoid fever spread?
2. Where in the world do you get typhoid fever?
3. What are the signs and symptoms of typhoid fever?

Investigative Step 2: Who is Typhoid Mary?

Watch the video clip "The Most Dangerous Woman in America" (linked below). Use the CDC web resource to discover who Typhoid Mary was, and why she is an important part of American history in the struggle against bacterial infection. Add the questions below to your Notes Page and answer them using information from the video and the web resource.

"The Most Dangerous Woman in America"

1. What does quarantine mean?
2. What was the basic situation behind the quarantine of Mary Mallon?
3. In what ways do some of the authors think the government was partially to blame for Mary's actions after she was released from North Brother Island?
4. How many people are believed to have been infected by Typhoid Mary? How many died?

Investigative Step 3: What Were the Controversies?

Determine what controversies surrounded the events of Typhoid Mary. Use the following web resources in your investigation.

PBS: In Her Own Words

PBS: Typhoid Mary: Villain or Victim

Discussion Activity

In the case of Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary, evaluate the government's response to the situation.

• Do you think Mary was treated unfairly? Support your answer using information from your research.
• Do you think it was a social class issue? What evidence supports your answer?

Grading rubric for the discussion:

• Student responds to discussion prompt - 4 points.
• Student responds to at least two other student postings - 4 points.
• Student contributions are thoughtful and relevant to discussion - 6 points.
• Student demonstrates ability to appropriately apply concepts and ideas from class (readings) to online discussion - 6 points.

Please go to the Discussion area of the course and choose 6.03B Honors Typhoid Mary Discussion.

• Respond to the question.
• Read the responses of other students, and reply to two classmates.

Note: Record the date you posted your ideas and the names of the students to whom you responded.

Guidelines for Student Discussions