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[The Forgotten Plague: Encephalitis Lethargica and Haunted Histories of New Orleans]-[Spooky New Orleans Vol. 1]

Morbid · B2 · 2022-05-22

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Forgotten Plague and the Shadows of New Orleans

In this episode of Morbid, hosts Ash and Alaina embark on a dark journey through medical history, focusing on a terrifying, largely forgotten pandemic known as Encephalitis Lethargica (EL), alongside the grim, haunted history of specific New Orleans landmarks.

The Terrifying Mystery of Encephalitis Lethargica

Ash introduces the "gnarly" and "terrifying" plague of Encephalitis Lethargica, which emerged around 1916-1917. Overshadowed by World War I and the Spanish Flu, this disease was characterized by extreme neurological distress. Ash describes the "acute phase" as starting like a severe flu, only to evolve into paralysis or a coma-like state where patients were trapped in their bodies, fully aware of their surroundings—a condition the hosts describe as "pseudosomnolence."

Perhaps most chilling is the account of the "amyostatic-akinetic phase," where patients developed "waxy flexibility," becoming rigid like "marionette dolls." The chronic phase was equally horrifying, leading to Witzelsucht (a condition causing uncontrollable punning) and severe psychosis. Ash highlights a documented case of an eight-year-old girl who, in a violent, zombie-like state, caused self-mutilation. The hosts note that this plague vanished as mysteriously as it appeared by the 1930s, leaving behind a legacy of medical bewilderment.

The Dark Apothecary of New Orleans

Transitioning to New Orleans, the hosts explore the history of the city’s first licensed pharmacy, now a museum. While the original owner, Louis J. DeFillo, was a pioneer, the building’s reputation darkened under Dr. Joseph Dupas. Described by the hosts as an "evil fuck" and a "serial killer," Dupas allegedly used the pharmacy for horrific medical experimentation. He preyed upon poor pregnant women, performing back-alley procedures that resulted in death. The hosts note that after his death from syphilis, remains were discovered in the courtyard, cementing the building's status as a site of intense paranormal activity, including sightings of a man in a brown suit and the manifestation of physical distress in pregnant visitors.

Tragedy and Hauntings at 508-514 Toulouse Street

Finally, the discussion turns to a "doomed affair" at a former feed store and oyster shop. After the death of her first husband, Mary Wheaton married Joseph Baptan Deere, a "cad" and a "scoundrel" who began a "torrid affair" with the beautiful Angelique Dubois. The hosts detail the violent climax: an argument between the lovers that ended when Deere strangled Angelique and threw her body from a third-story balcony. Deere subsequently committed suicide.

Following these deaths, the building served as a quarantine hospital for yellow fever victims, where patients in agony would often jump from windows to escape their suffering—a fact evidenced by the metal bars still present on the windows today. The building later became O'Flaherty's Irish Pub, where staff and patrons reported encounters with the spirits of Mary, Angelique, and the suffering victims of the fever. The hosts conclude by emphasizing the lingering "doom and gloom" of these locations, noting that while some experiences might be attributed to the atmosphere of a busy pub, the consistent reports of auditory phenomena, such as the coughing of children, suggest a deeper, more tragic imprint on these historic New Orleans sites.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I feel that way as well.
2
I'm so happy with it.
3
It just belongs there.
4
It's really scary.
5
He was a dick and a punk.
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📝Key Phrases

1
dive into
2
lurk around every corner
3
take charge of
4
debt traps
5
every now and again
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, before we dive into today's twisted tale, let me tell you about a place where the darkness never ends.
Wondery Plus. It's like stepping into a haunted mansion where the floorboards creak with ad free episodes and early access to new episodes lurks around every corner.
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