MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries Episode 56: "She Haunts Me" Release Date: October 29, 2024
Host/Author: Wondery

Introduction

In Episode 56, titled "She Haunts Me," MrBallen delves into a chilling tale from the late 19th century, intertwining medical mystery with supernatural folklore. Set in Exeter, Rhode Island, the story explores the devastating impact of a mysterious disease known as the "White Death" and the desperate measures a family takes to save their son, Edwin. This episode masterfully blends historical context with eerie suspense, highlighting how fear and superstition can intertwine with medical crises.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens in the spring of 1889, introducing Dr. Harold Metcalf, a 29-year-old physician in the struggling town of Exeter, Rhode Island. The town, once vibrant, has been decimated by the Civil War and the relentless scourge of the White Death—tuberculosis.

“For centuries, people believed that monsters, demons, and other horrors could cause deadly diseases and all kinds of misery.”
(00:00)

The stage is set for a nightmarish exploration of a family's battle against an incurable disease amidst growing superstitions.

The Brown Family's Plight

Dr. Metcalf receives a late-night telegram from George Brown, a local farmer, pleading for help as his son Edwin has fallen ill. The Browns have endured significant loss over the years: George's wife succumbed to the White Death seven years prior, followed by one of their daughters. Despite Dr. Metcalf's best efforts, the remedies—healthy food and exercise—proved ineffective, leading to their untimely deaths.

“Even though Dr. Metcalf knew the White Death was basically incurable, he still felt guilty for not being able to help George and his loved ones.”
(04:20)

Determined to save Edwin, Dr. Metcalf proposes an experimental treatment: relocating to Colorado Springs, known for its dry climate, which was believed to alleviate tuberculosis symptoms. The journey of 2,000 miles is fraught with uncertainty, but George agrees, and Edwin temporarily regains his health.

A Temporary Relief

Three years later, in January 1892, Edwin returns to Rhode Island after benefiting from the climate in Colorado. However, his recovery is short-lived as he contracts the White Death again. The family's grief deepens with the loss of another daughter, Mercy, who had refused to relocate, choosing instead to stay with her sisters.

“Edwin croaked out the first words he'd said that day. He said that, yes, he and his wife would go to Colorado.”
(04:20)

Tragedy strikes anew when Edwin, weakened by the disease, begins to suffer violently. In a state of despair, he confides in his father, revealing a haunting presence he perceives in his room.

“She was here. She haunts me.”
(16:58)

This eerie declaration ignites the neighbors' belief in a supernatural cause—a vampire curse—believing that a vengeful spirit is draining the life from the Browns.

The Supernatural Intervention

Driven by desperation, George allows the neighbors to exhume the bodies of his deceased family members to identify the alleged vampire. Dr. Metcalf, skeptical but empathetic, accompanies them to Chestnut Hill cemetery. The neighbors uncover that Mercy's body had remarkably resisted decomposition due to the harsh winter conditions, not supernatural intervention.

“Mercy died in the middle of the harsh New England winter, when the ground was so frozen that it would have been impossible to actually dig a grave.”
(17:32)

Despite the rational explanation, the neighbors remain convinced of the vampire's existence and perform a grim ritual, attempting to exterminate the supposed curse by consuming Mercy's organs mixed with water.

The Failed Ritual and Aftermath

Edwin, caught between fear and desperation, consumes the concoction, but the ritual fails to cure him. Tragically, Edwin succumbs to the White Death, and the Brown family's suffering continues. Over the next two decades, additional daughters fall victim to the disease, leaving only Hattie to witness the eventual medical advancements that would render the White Death manageable.

“Two months after this ritual, Edwin still died of the White Death.”
(27:44)

The episode concludes by revealing that the White Death was tuberculosis, a well-known but poorly understood and deadly disease during that era. The superstition surrounding vampires was a misguided interpretation of the disease’s severe symptoms, further exacerbated by the family's isolation and loss.

“The White Death was not some curse caused by a vampire. It was actually a very common and very deadly infectious disease called tuberculosis.”
(29:29)

Conclusion

"She Haunts Me" serves as a poignant reminder of how fear and lack of medical knowledge can give rise to supernatural explanations for natural phenomena. MrBallen skillfully narrates the Brown family's tragic story, highlighting the intersection of medicine, superstition, and human desperation. This episode not only entertains but also educates listeners on the historical context of tuberculosis and its profound impact on communities.

Notable Quotes

• Mr. Ballin:
  “Were they being plagued by a mysterious disease? Or were they actually being preyed on by a creature thought only to exist in legend?”
  (00:00)

• George Brown:
  “There was nothing he or anyone else could do to help Edwin. It’s in God’s hands now.”
  (17:32)

• Edwin Brown:
  “She was here. She haunts me.”
  (16:58)

• Narrator:
  “The White Death was actually a very common and very deadly infectious disease called tuberculosis.”
  (29:29)

Key Takeaways

• Historical Impact of Tuberculosis: The episode underscores the devastating effects of tuberculosis in the 19th century, a time when medical understanding and treatments were limited.

• Intersection of Medicine and Superstition: The Brown family's ordeal illustrates how severe diseases can be misconstrued as supernatural phenomena, especially in isolated communities.

• Human Desperation and Belief: In the face of incurable illness, the family and community's turn to vampiric explanations reflects the deep psychological impact of loss and the lengths to which people will go to find hope.

• Legacy of Misunderstood Diseases: The narrative connects historical misconceptions to modern understandings, showing progress in medical science and the importance of education in combating superstition.

Production Credits

• Written by: Karis Alan Pash Cooper
• Editor: Heather Dundas
• Sound Design: Andre Plus
• Producers: Sophia Martins, Alex Benedon
• Research: Sara Vitak, Taysha Palakonda
• Fact Checking: Sheila Patterson
• Sound: Marcelino Vilapondo
• Additional Production Support: Avery Siegel
• Executive Producers: Mr. Ballin, Nick Witters
• Senior Managing Producer: Ryan Lore
• Head of Production: Zach Levitt
• Script Editing: Scott Allen, Evan Allen

Disclaimer: The content of this episode is based on historical events and thorough research. However, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.