Research

Scope and Content Note

Each folder contains the initial epidemiological investigation report; memoranda summarizing the clinical evidence for chronic carrier status and requesting a legal declaration of this status; the declaration itself; correspondence between public health officials at state and local levels; correspondence with the carrier; periodic status reports; and notification of the carrier's death.

The investigation report includes vital statistics; history of typhoid fever occurrence and vaccinations; possible sources of exposure to and further spread of the disease; circumstances leading to discovery of the carrier; the carrier's work history; household census; cases which have been traced to this carrier; and surgical treatment. Later reports also describe the course of antibiotic treatment. Correspondence pertains to interpretation of clinical data; changes of residence; eligibility for financial aid; and determination of financial agents for elderly carriers no longer able to manage their own financial affairs.