 |
|
|
|
 Melissa Sue Anderson, right, portrayed Mary Ingalls in the 1970s NBC TV show "Little House on the Prairie."
February 4th, 2013
10:47 AM ET
The real reason Mary Ingalls went blindIf you watched "Little House on the Prairie," chances are you remember the story of Mary Ingalls. The television show and popular book series drew on the real-life experiences of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mary, Laura's sister, went blind as a teenager after contracting scarlet fever, according to the story. Now a team of medical researchers are raising questions about whether that's true. Dr. Beth Tarini, one of the co-authors of the paper, became intrigued by the question as a medical student. "I was in my pediatrics rotation. We were talking about scarlet fever, and I said, 'Oh, scarlet fever makes you go blind. Mary Ingalls went blind from it,'" recalls Tarini, who is now an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan. My supervisor said, "I don't think so." Tarini started doing research. Over the course of 10 years, she and her team of researchers, pored over old papers and letters written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, local newspaper accounts of Mary's illness and epidemiological data on blindness and infectious disease in the late 19th century. What they found was intriguing.
Digging deeper, when researchers looked at epidemiological data from the time, they saw that most cases of blindness attributed to scarlet fever were temporary. In addition, newspaper accounts of Mary's illness report "severe headaches" and one side of her face being partially paralyzed. Finally, and perhaps the most important piece of evidence, in a letter Wilder wrote to her daughter, Rose, right before her book "By the Shores of Silver Lake" was published, she makes reference "some sort of spinal sickness". The letter also mentions that Mary saw a specialist in Chicago who said "the nerves of her eyes were paralyzed and there was no hope." Diagnosis by these disease detectives: viral meningoencephalitis, which causes inflammation of the brain and the meninges, the membrane that covers the brain. In severe cases, it can cause inflammation of the optic nerve that can result in a slow and progressive loss of sight. It may not be the biggest bombshell to hit the medical world, but to "Little House" fans, the question remains: why did Wilder change her sister's illness to scarlet fever? The study authors believe it could be because Wilder and her editors thought scarlet fever would be more relatable to her readers. Scarlet fever is mentioned in other books from the period, including "Little Women" and "Frankenstein." But there is also an important wider medical lesson we can learn from this research. Today, about 10% of people infected with strep get scarlet fever, says Tarini. It is easily treatable. But because the cultural reference to scarlet fever is so ingrained in our culture, people assume it is very dangerous. "People read as children that scarlet fever makes you go blind," says Tarini. "Parents look concerned ... so I have to debunk it in the office." The study was published Monday in this week's edition of the journal Pediatrics. soundoff (1,771 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Next »Leave a Reply to RV Repair Shop Near My Location
Next entry »Too much TV could damage sperm production
« Previous entry7 weight loss myths (sort of) debunked
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
http://fishingheaven.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=http://affordableranking.com/
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
http://trasportopersone.it/redirect.aspx?url=https://affordableranking.com
sildenafil soft online https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
http://doshigroup.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=http://www.affordableranking.com/
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest of the website is very good.
https://jamesriversports.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.http://affordableranking.com/
In Blogger's new Template Designer there is no template which contains fluid width in for the text body. Does anybody know how to change to fluid width in the new templates? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated..
https://www.instagram.com/katekdesigns
https://involution.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this great post on our website. Keep up the great writing.
https://hollowlaw.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.http://affordableranking.com/
You're so cool! I don't suppose I've truly read something like that before. So nice to discover someone with original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
https://www.super-blog.useitup.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=http://affordableranking.com/
https://educateboys.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.https://affordableranking.com/
http://bizfinder.registerguard.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=https://www.fleetservicesorangecounty.com
http://yousite.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=http://www.fleetservicesocrv.com/
I keep several blogs & forums and allow people to write their comments on them. I check regularly and remove any swear words, etc. I also ask commentors not to leave any derogatory terms on the blogs/forums.. However, that said, am i still legally responsible for the content on my blog/forums if they write a defamatory comment or abusive comments?. Many thanks..
https://www.instagram.com/katekdesigns
https://georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/exit.aspx?url=http://www.cateringbusinessplans.com
https://migrantcinema.net.gridhosted.co.uk/?URL=http://wildwestlifttrucks.com/
https://posts.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&url=https://forkliftrepairshop.com
Can I simply say what a relief to find a person that actually understands what they're discussing online. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. I can't believe you aren't more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
https://image.google.kz/url?q=https://boxtruckrepairshop.com
IÃm amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatÃs equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm very happy I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.
https://google.tt/url?q=https://ocrvparts.com
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
http://citidex.sfgov.org/cgi-bin/sunindex/getData.cgi?docColor=deptsonly&dispRec=yes&contact=TedYamasaki&phone=(415)557-4815&url=https://webdesignpostfalls.com
http://mydoterra.com/Application/index.cfm?EnrollerID=458046&Theme=DefaultTheme&Returnurl=searchinteraction.com&LNG=en_dot&iact=1
https://local.google.co.ls/url?q=https://wifimind.com
I was able to find good info from your blog articles.
http://www.eridan.websrvcs.com/System/Login.asp?id=48747&Referer=http://www.commercialvanrepairshop.com/
http://fearproof.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bulknearme.com
http://crimea-24.com/go.php?https://reviewnearme.com/
Right here is the right site for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need toÖHaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for decades. Excellent stuff, just excellent!
http://jennaandjessie.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://diyphotocards.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
This is a topic that is close to my heart... Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
http://www.longevityrich.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
This is a topic which is near to my heart... Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?
http://www.zerocarts.com/demo/index.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
This excellent website really has all of the information I wanted about this subject and didnÃt know who to ask.
http://edgesanjose.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://www.rainbowbridgepottery.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=masternearme.com
http://www.jobwell.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bjsnearme.com
I like it when people get together and share thoughts. Great blog, continue the good work!
http://www.dramonline.org/redirect?url=http://ocrvcenter.com/
This is a topic that is near to my heart... Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
https://sc.devb.gov.hk/TuniS/ocrvcenter.com/
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It's always helpful to read through content from other writers and practice a little something from other sites.
http://bestlawyersinrhodeisland.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestlocalnearme.com/
http://easyrideratlanta.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestlocalnearme.com
http://www.muskurahat.com/netcon/?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Kudos!
http://rayhumancapital.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=quotenearme.com
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I donÃt understand why I can't join it. Is there anybody else having the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
http://kazumanoyu.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://cardioexpress.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
hydroxychoroquin https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you should write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don't talk about such topics. To the next! All the best!!
http://importstores.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
https://israelbusinessguide.com/away.php?url=https://sprinterrepairnearme.com
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I donÃt know the reason why I can't subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having identical RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
http://www.ian-waite.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://ocrvmotorsports.co/
https://silver-law.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=earme.a2hosted.com
Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this site needs a lot more attention. IÃll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the advice!
http://www.ranchobelagodistrict.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.biz
http://discoveryforcredit.tv/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=sprinterrepairnearme.com/
http://acuitysucks.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrv.me
http://dorancylaw.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvandtrucks.com
https://sockthief.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=earme.a2hosted.com
May I simply say what a comfort to discover an individual who truly understands what they are discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I can't believe you are not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.
http://lauradayliving.com/redirect.php?to=https://customcampervans.com/