Once a Typhoid Carrier, Always a Typhoid Carrier

Abstract

The part played in the incidence of typhoid fever in Massachusetts by typhoid bacilli carriers is unknown, but the number of typhoid bacilli carriers found each year is increasing, although typhoid cases reported annually in the state are decreasing in number. The axiom of once a carrier, always a carrier,,, is a good one for health officials to stand by. A series of negative fecal and urinary examinations for the typhoid bacillus should mean nothing to a board of health who are safeguarding the public health, if typhoid bacilli have been found in the excreta of a person three months or more after having had typhoid fever. It is true that occasionally the removal of a gallbladder results in negative findings. However, the mere fact that it is not true in all instances indicates that there is a chance that the