Podcast Summary
Podcasts and Books: Two distinct podcasts, Lady to Lady and This Podcast Will Kill You, offer unique listening experiences. Lady to Lady features sleepover games and tangents with esteemed guests, while This Podcast Will Kill You's Book Club delves into scientific, medical, and historical topics through author interviews, such as the untold story of black nurses during the early 20th century.
Both Lady to Lady and This Podcast Will Kill You offer unique and compelling listening experiences. Lady to Lady, celebrating its 600th episode, features iconic actor French Stewart sharing stories and antics from their podcast episodes, which cover a wide range of topics and include sleepover games and tangents with esteemed guests. On the other hand, This Podcast Will Kill You's Book Club explores various scientific, medical, and historical topics through in-depth interviews with authors. In this particular episode, the focus is on the untold story of the black nurses, or "Black Angels," at Sea View Hospital during the early 20th century, who courageously cared for tuberculosis patients despite the risks to their own health. The book, "The Black Angels," by Maria Smilios, offers a compassionate and immersive account of these women's lives, providing valuable insights into their experiences and the historical context of the time.
Tuberculosis and African American Nurses: Exploring the history of the Black Angels, a group of African American nurses during the Great Depression, led to the discovery of untold stories about life in NYC during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when tuberculosis was prevalent. Efforts to control the spread included building hospitals and isolating those infected, but the stigma of tuberculosis led to blame and quarantine.
Sometimes, following our curiosity and exploring deeper can lead us to uncover remarkable stories. This was the case for the author who, intrigued by the Black Angels, a group of African American nurses during the Great Depression, met a woman with connections to this history. Their meetings led to the discovery of untold stories about life in New York City during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when tuberculosis, or the "Great White Plague," was a feared and prevalent disease. During this time, the disease thrived in overcrowded tenements, and city officials, like Dr. Herman Biggs, waged a war on it by building hospitals, like the one on Staten Island, to isolate those infected. Despite efforts to control the spread, the disease continued to proliferate, and the stigma of tuberculosis led to blame and quarantine. The author's journey of discovery shows the importance of following our curiosity and the impact of historical events on communities.
Tuberculosis in NYC: Despite the city's response to the TB epidemic, access to care depended on social status and ability to pay, leading to disparities in treatment and stigma for the less fortunate
During the early 20th century in New York City, tuberculosis (TB) was a major health concern, particularly in densely populated areas like Staten Island and Harlem. The living conditions in these areas contributed to the spread of TB among immigrants and African Americans, who were often seen as expendable and received inadequate medical care. One notable area with high TB prevalence was a block called Long Alley, which housed 4,000 people in deplorable living conditions. The City of New York responded by building Seaview Hospital on Staten Island as a quarantine facility, but access to it depended on one's social status and ability to pay. Those who could afford it went to private sanatoriums, while the less fortunate were sent to Seaview. Nursing in these facilities was risky due to the lack of protective gear and antibiotics, while being a patient meant enduring stigma and isolation from the community.
TB Nurses' Role: During the TB epidemic, nurses, particularly those in sanatoriums, provided emotional support and deep understanding of the disease to patients, often dealing with their frustration and racial slurs, and the shortage of white nurses led to recruitment of African American nurses due to societal segregation.
During the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, nurses played a crucial role in caring for patients, often serving as their family and providing emotional support in addition to medical care. These nurses, who were often working in sanatoriums, had a deep understanding of the disease and its unpredictable nature. Patients, who came to the United States with dreams of a new life, were often disappointed and angry when they ended up in the hospital, and nurses had to deal with their frustration and racial slurs. As the disease took a toll on white nurses, there was a nursing shortage, leading the city to recruit nurses from the African American community. This solution fit into the larger context of segregation during that period, as black nurses were often the only option for caring for TB patients.
Great Migration, Nursing: During the Great Migration, black nurses faced discrimination but pursued their dreams of integrated hospital work and better living conditions in New York City
During the Great Migration in the late 1920s, New York City recruited nurses from the American South, promising them opportunities to work in integrated hospitals and better living conditions. One such nurse was Edna Sutton, who was born into poverty in Savannah, Georgia. Despite facing discrimination and limited opportunities, Edna dreamed of becoming a surgeon. She received excellent grades in school and even acted in Shakespeare plays, but her dreams were considered outrageous for a black woman at the time. After being let go from the Georgia Infirmary, she worked in an office and took care of her younger sister. When her former teacher told her about CV, a New York hospital that accepted black nurses, Edna applied and eventually moved to New York to pursue her career in nursing. This story highlights the determination and resilience of Edna and other black nurses during a time of significant racial discrimination. It also demonstrates the importance of following one's dreams and passions, even in the face of adversity.
Edna's move to New York: Edna's move from the Jim Crow South to New York for her nursing career was a difficult transition, but she persevered and found comfort in Staten Island. Integration of healthcare facilities in NYC began in the 1930s, driven by Mayor LaGuardia's advocacy, despite opposition.
The decision for Edna, a nurse from Savannah, to leave the Jim Crow South and pursue her career in the medical profession in New York was a significant and challenging one. Leaving her familiar community behind, she faced initial shock from the unfamiliar landscape, culture, and living conditions in New York. Despite these challenges, she persevered and eventually found comfort in Staten Island, which reminded her of the South. The integration of nursing and medical schools and hospitals in New York City began in the 1930s, driven by the desire to end segregation and the advocacy of influential figures like Mayor LaGuardia, who faced opposition from racist health commissioners. Despite these challenges, the push for integration continued, leading to important progress in the field of healthcare.
Tuberculosis treatment breakthroughs: Alice Green's determination led to the desegregation of NYC hospitals, but the treatment of tuberculosis was painful and expensive with limited effectiveness. The discovery of isoniazid, the first effective and affordable treatment, brought hope and relief to patients and marked a turning point in the fight against tuberculosis.
The determination of one nurse, Alice Green, led to the desegregation of New York City hospitals in the 1930s. However, the treatment of tuberculosis during that time was far from ideal. The first major breakthrough came with the use of streptomycin, but it was expensive, painful, and had limitations. Patients had to endure multiple injections daily, which were both time-consuming and excruciatingly painful. The drug only worked for those in the early stages of the disease and became resistant over time. This created a moral dilemma for doctors, who had to choose which patients would receive the scarce and expensive medication. The discovery of isoniazid, the first effective and affordable tuberculosis treatment, took place at Seaview Hospital, where patients and nurses were often overlooked. The first clinical trial of isoniazid at Seaview was a success, and patients reacted with hope and relief. The public's response was overwhelmingly positive, marking a turning point in the fight against tuberculosis.
Black Angels and Tuberculosis Drug Trial: Black Angels, predominantly Black nurses at Sea View Hospital in New Jersey, played a crucial role in the discovery of tinnitus as a side effect of the tuberculosis drug isoniazid through their attentiveness and observational skills during the clinical trial.
The unsung heroines of Sea View Hospital in New Jersey, known as the "Black Angels," played a crucial role in the successful clinical trial of the tuberculosis drug isoniazid. These nurses, who were predominantly Black, were on the front lines, administering the drug to patients with imminent death and monitoring them for side effects. Their attentiveness and observational skills led to the discovery of tinnitus as a side effect, which was later confirmed through further testing. The patients themselves dubbed these nurses "black angels" due to their compassionate care and restoration of human dignity. The oral history approach to researching and writing this story allowed for a deep understanding of the day-to-day experiences of patients and nurses, making it an essential contribution to the history of medical breakthroughs.
Black Angels' stories of hope: The Black Angels, despite facing challenging circumstances during the Jim Crow era, bravely took on roles in healthcare and saved tens of millions of lives, reminding us of the power of humanity to inspire hope.
The book "The Black Angels: One Hundred Years of Caring for the Sick" is a powerful and inspiring story of triumph and hope. The author, Maria, shares how the book was built on oral history and the narratives of families, particularly those of the Black Angels, who worked in hospitals during the Jim Crow era. These women, many of whom were young and inexperienced, bravely took on roles in healthcare despite challenging circumstances, ultimately saving tens of millions of lives. Maria expresses her deep appreciation for their stories and the impact they had on her. The book serves as a reminder that there are always people who are willing to take care of us and rise to the occasion when needed, giving us hope in humanity. The author hopes that readers will take away the message of triumph and the humanity restored by the Black Angels' stories.