Memoirs of the yellow fever, which prevailed in Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States of America, in the summer and autumn of the present year, 1798. Including, tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; the proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. : With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; and the publications which appeared in the different newspapers, during the continuance of the disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c. : To which is added, a collections of facts respecting the origin of the fever. / By William Currie, S.C.M.P. author of "An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the causes and cure of bilious fevers." &c. &c. ; [Six lines of verse]

Memoirs of the yellow fever, which prevailed in Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States of America, in the summer and autumn of the present year, 1798. Including, tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; the proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. : With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; and the publications which appeared in the different newspapers, during the continuance of the disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c. : To which is added, a collections of facts respecting the origin of the fever. / By William Currie, S.C.M.P. author of "An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the causes and cure of bilious fevers." &c. &c. ; [Six lines of verse]

Memoirs of the yellow fever, which prevailed in Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States of America, in the summer and autumn of the present year, 1798. Including, tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; the proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. : With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; and the publications which appeared in the different newspapers, during the continuance of the disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c. : To which is added, a collections of facts respecting the origin of the fever. / By William Currie, S.C.M.P. author of "An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the causes and cure of bilious fevers." &c. &c. ; [Six lines of verse]

Table of contents

Title page

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A Sketch of the Weather, from January to July, 1798.

Memoirs of the Diseases and Occurrence, in July.

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DAILY RETURNS Of the number of sick and of the deaths in the City Hospital, and in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, including the little village of Kensington, in the month of August.

Memories of the Fever and Occurrences in August

August 11th.

§

August 14.

August 15th.

August 16th.

August 17th.

August 18th.

August 19th.

August 20th.

August 21st.

August 22d.

August 25th.

August 28th.

August 29th.

August 31st.

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Occurrences in September, &c.

September 1st.

September 2d.

September 3d.

September 4th.

September 4th.

September 4th.

September 4th.

September 5th.

BOSTON, September 7. THE FEVEER.

September 6th.

September 7th.

September 8th.

September 10th.

September 11th.

September 12th.

September 13th.

September 14th.

September 15th.

September 16th.

September 17th.

September 18th.

September 19th.

September 20th.

September 21st.

September 21st.

September 24th.

September 25th.

September 26th.

September 27th.

September 28th.

REMARKS, WHICH FOLLOW THE ABOVE.

September 29th.

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DAILY RETURNS Of the sick, and of the deaths in the City Hospital, and in the City and Liberties, for the month of October.

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October 1st.

October 2nd.

October 3d.

October 4th.

October 6th.

October 9th.

October 11th.

October 12th.

October 15th.

October 16th.

October 18th.

October 19th.

October 20th.

October 21st.

October 22d.

October 23d. From the Columbia Centinel. PHILADELPHIA: AN ELEGY.

October 24th.

October 26th.

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State of the Weather from 1st to 12th of November.

Occurrences. &c. in November.

Table of the number of sick, and of the deaths, from the 1st to the 12th November.

November 2d.

November 3d.

BILL OF MORTALITY,

BILL OF MORTALITY,

BILL OF MORTALITY,

BILL OF MORTALITY,

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

November 15th.

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[Page]MEMOIRS.

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[Page]

[Page]

OF THE YELLOW FEVER, WHICH PREVAILED IN PHILADELPHIA, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN THE SUMMER AND AUTUMN OF THE PRESENT YEAR, 1798.

INCLUDING, Tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; The proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; And the publications which appeared in the different Newspapers, during the continuance of the Disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c.

TO WHICH IS ADDED, A COLLECTION OF FACTS RESPECTING THE ORIGIN OF THE FEVER.

BY WILLIAM CURRIE, S. C. M. P. Author of "An Historical Account of the Climates and Diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the Causes and Cure of Bilious Fevers." &c. &c.

Another Plague more fierce, arose,

The salutary art was mute!

Fatigu'd with vain resources, and subdu'd

With woes resistless, and enfeebling fear,

—into the hospitable country,

The infected city, pour'd her hurrying swarms.

PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY JOHN BIOREN, FOR THOMAS DOBSON, AT THE STONE HOUSE, NO. 41, SOUTH SECOND STREET. 1798.

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A Sketch of the Weather, from January to July, 1798.

THE winter, preceding the spring of 1798, was more severely cold, and the cold continued longer than usual in this winter.

The greatest part of March and April was wet and cold.

From the 4th of May to the 23d, there was no rain, though the wind was generally N. and N. E. and some days disagreeably cold.

24th May, began to rain, and continued wet and cold to the 31st. The wind then changed to S. W. and the weather became warm and fair.

From the 5th to the 14th of June there were daily showers, some days heavy, and one day loud thunder. The ponds became full of water—the roads deep with mud. From the 16th to the 19th, unpleasantly cold. From the 19th to the 26th, sultry, with frequent showers. 27th, cool, Thermometer only 76 at two P. M. Mark Miller died today, under the care of doctors Wister and Hodge, with symptoms of the Yellow Fever at Mrs. Reeves's in Gallowhill-street. He had been much fatigued and debilitated from loading a vessel at Almond-street wharf, a mile from his lodgings, in the heat of the day, to which he had walked daily for some time. He had, also, according to the account of Mrs. Reeves, slept on the bed in which her son had died of the Fever the preceding Autumn. Dr. Hodge was at this time indisposed with jaundice from a diseased liver.

24th and 30th, fair and pleasant, wind S. E.

The last week of June was remarkably healthy.

[Page]

A TABLE, Of the Weather in July.

DAY. | THERMOMETER. | WIND. | WEATHER.
At 8 A. M. | At 2 P. M. | A.M. P.M
1 | 78 | 84 | SW | Light breeze, fair.
2 | 82 | 90 | SW | Light breeze but very oppressive.
3 | 84 | 90 | SW | Calm and fair till 6 P. M. then smart gust.
4 | 74 | 84 | W | Fair, fresh breeze. From the 4th to the 23d of this month the mercury seldom rose as high as [...]o in the afternoon, but was generally as low as 76. During this period a considerable quantity of rain fell.
24 | [...]5 | 82 | SW | Light breeze; fair till evening; a shower in the night.
25 | 76 | 80 | SE E | Flying clouds; calm.
26 | 78 | 82 | W SW | Flying clouds; ponds have lowered considerably.
27 | 82 | 88 | W SW | Fair, light breeze; shower last night.
8 | 85 | 91 | SW | Fair, strong breeze.
9 | 82 | 86 | W SW | Shower A. M. and P. M. sultry.
30 | 80 | 80 | NE E | Shower A. M. constant rain all P. M. and part of the night.
[...]1 | 72 | 78 | W NW | Fresh breeze, fair.

The diseases of children, usually prevalent in July, have been remarkably rare and mild this year.

[Page]

Memoirs of the Diseases and Occurrence, in July.

ON the 24th of this month, the City Commissioners issued orders to wash the gutters and to wet the streets three times a week.

A number of inflammatory complaints occurred during the continuance of the cool and wet weather.

A ship-carpenter, who lodged at Achison Thompson's, in Water-street, a few doors below Walnut-street, was attacked with fever on the 26th, which, on the 4th day, shewed symptoms of malignity.*

Another of A. Thompson's lodgers, a sailor, died in the night of the 28th, after a very short indisposition.

Mr. David Jamie, clerk to Mr. Foster, merchant, who lodged at Thompson's, was attacked with fever in the night of the 31st.†

Notes

*

This man confessed to Dr. Dorsey and myself, that he had been on board the ship Deborah while she was unshipping her cargo at Race-street wharf, a few days before his sickness. He was sent down to the Marine Hospital, and there died on the 3d day of August.

↵

†

Mr. Jamie was sent to the Marine Hospital while in a state of salivation, with three blisters on him, and recovered.

↵

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[Page]

A TABLE, Of the Weather in August.

DAY | THERMOMETER | WIND. | WEATHER.
At 8 A. M. | At 2 P. M. | A.M. P.M
1 | 75 | 80 |  | Fair.
2 | 76 | 82 |  | Fair.
3 | 76 | 82 |  | Thick fog, fair, sultry.
4 | 78 | 84 | SE SW | Sultry, cloudy, heavy shower P. M. and also in the night.
5 | 78 | 83 | SW W | Sultry A. M. fair P. M. with fresh breeze.
6 | 78 | 82 | NW W | Fair A. M. light shower P. M.
7 | 78 | 84 | NW W | Fair, fresh breeze,
8 | 78 | 86 | SW | Fair, light breeze.
9 | 82 | 89 | SW S | Fair, light breeze.
10 | 82 | 90 | SW S | Fair, light breeze.
11 | 83 | 89 | SE W | Fair, light breeze, thundergust P. M. and frequent showers, with lightning and thunder in the night.
12 | 80 | 82 | E SE | Cloudy and calm A. M. fair, calm P. M.
13 | 78 | 80 | E SE | Light breeze, flying clouds, cloudy damp & sultry in the evening.
14 | 78 | 82 | W SW | Cloudy, calm, oppressive A. M. began to rain at 3 P. M. and continued to rain heavily and constantly all the evening.
15 | 77 | 82 |  | Remarkably clear and oppressive, rained chief part of the night.
16 |  |  |  | Sultry, cloudy; roads deep and muddy, ponds almost filled with water.
17 |  |  |  | Cloudy, showery, sultry, shower with thunder at 4 P. M.
18 | 87 | 87 |  | Sultry, fair.
19 |  |  |  | Calm, fair.
20 |  |  | E SE | Cloudy, sultry, fair P. M.
21 |  |  |  | Fair, light breeze, very warm, roads dusty already, lightning from west in the evening.
22 |  |  | NW | Fair and disagreeably cold in the evening.
23 |  | 78 | E | Strong breeze, fair.
24 |  |  | N | Strong breeze, fair, very warm.
25 |  |  |  | Fair, calm, hot, the night particularly so, lightning from the west.
26 |  |  |  | Fair, light breeze, very warm, roads deep with dust, water low in the ponds, heavy rain in the night.
27 |  | 86 | SE | Fair, light breeze.
28 |  |  |  | Cloudy, showery, cloudy, cool evening,
29 |  |  | NW | Strong cool breeze, fair.
30 |  |  |  | Like yesterday, only stronger breeze.
31 |  | 80 | E | Fair, light breeze.

[Page]

DAILY RETURNS Of the number of sick and of the deaths in the City Hospital, and in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, including the little village of Kensington, in the month of August.

THE first cases admitted into the Hospital were on the 8th of August: From the first of August to this date, the whole of the deaths in the City and Liberties, amounted to 53—viz. 23 adults and 30 children.

HOSPITAL REPORTS. | Admit. | Cured. | Deaths. | Rem. in H. | Conval. | Eloped. | TOTAL DEATHS.
From 8th to 9th in the morning. | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Total deaths in Hospital, City, &c. 12.
9th to 10th. | 9 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 7 including 3 children.
10th to 11th. | 11 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 16 including 5 children.
11th to 12th. | 7 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 20
12th to 13th. | 9 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 17
13th to 14th. | 3 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 20 including 7 children.
From 14th to 15th. in the morning. | 6 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 27 including 7 children.
15th to 16th. | 7 | 0 | 2 | 27 | 9 | 0 | 17 including 4 children.
16th to 17th. | 10 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 15 including 6 children.
17th to 18th. | 3 | 0 | 3 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 18 including 7 children.
18th to 19th. | 9 | 2 | 7 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 24
19th to 20th. | 5 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 12 | 1 | 16
20th to 21st. | 11 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 13 | 0 | 20
50 New cases reported to the board of health to day, by the physicians in the city and liberties. |  |  |  |  |  |  |
21st to 22d. 38 new cases reported. | 11 | 0 | 3 | 46 | 12 | 0 | 31
22d to 23d. 42 new cases reported to the Board. | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 including 7 children.
23d to 24th. 49 new cases by thirty-three Physicians. | 10 | 2 | 11 | 54 | 12 | 0 | 25
24th to 25th. 37 new cases by twenty-two Physicians. | 8 | 1 | 6 | 55 | 12 | 0 | 25 including 7 children.
25th to 26th. | 18 | 1 | 7 | 65 | 11 | 0 | 48
26th to 27th. 111 new cases for last 48 hours by 23 Physicians. | 9 | 0 | 10 | 65 | 12 | 0 | 34
27th to 28th. 60 new cases by 25 Physicians. | 8 | 1 | 6 | 65 | 20 | 1 | 36 including 4 children.
28th to 29th. 69 new cases by 25 Physicians. | 13 | 0 | 8 | 67 | 20 | 1 | 33 including 3 children.
29th to 30th. 53 new cases by 19 Physicians. | 12 | 4 | 8 | 67 | 20 | 0 | 45 including 4 children.
30th to 31st. 81 new cases by 21 Physicians. | 18 | 3 | 6 | 77 | 20 | 0 | 31 including 5 children.

[Page]

Memories of the Fever and Occurrences in August

ALEXANDER PHILIPS next door neighbour to A. Thompson was attacked with fever accompanied with malignant symptoms on the last of July or first of August; died under the care of Dr. Griffitts on the 4th inst., being the 4th or 5th day from the Attack.

Moses Cox at corner of 2d and Spruce, died on the 6th.

John Saunders occupied in the store of Lloyd and Sparks on the wharf a short distance below Walnut St. attacked on the 3d.

Mr. Samuel Russel clerk to Mr. H. Henderson. Mr. John Lawrence. Mr. Morgan's son. Stephen Davis, who lodged next door to Philips's. Mr. Rudolph. A Tobacconist's boy. Mr. Isaac Lloyd, all in the same neighbourhood, with several others whose names I do not recollect, were all taken ill with a fever of a malignant kind within two or three days of each other.

The unusual number of deaths that occurred in the first week of August, alarmed the Citizens and became a topic of general conversation.

The case of a man who had worked on board the Ship Deborah, who died of a fever highly malignant the latter end of July, had been reported by Dr. Proudfit, but being a solitary case had excited but little apprehension.

On the 5th, Achison Thompson's child was attacked with the fever.

The College of Physicians met on the 6th at which time about 26 cases of the fever were all that were known to exist in the city, and after conferring together they unanimously agreed to the following resolutions, [Page] which were immediately communicated to the Board of Health of Philadelphia.—viz.

"Resolved that the college inform the Board of Health, that a malignant contageous fever has made its appearance in Water street, between Walnut and Spruce streets, and in the vicinity thereof: And That the college recommend to the Board of Health to procure the removal of all the families that are situated between Walnut and Spruce streets, and the East side of Front and the River, and to have all the Shipping lying between Walnut and Spruce streets removed to a proper distance from the City."

In consequence of the communication of the College, the Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, published the following recommendation on the 7th.

§

"Health-Office 7th August, 1798."

"Whereas the Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals of the port of Philadelphia; have received information from the College of Physicians that a malignant contageous fever has made its appearance in Water street between Walnut and Spruce streets and in the vicinity thereof"; and the reports of Dr. Samuel Duffield and and T. Parke, appointed particularly to examine that part of the City, specifying the particular cases found therein.—Therefore, Resolved, that in order to prevent as much as possible all communication with that part of the City, that the Health-Officer cause the vessels now lying at the wharves between Tun Alley and Jesse and Robert Waln's wharf, including the said wharf to be removed, and that no vessel of any description whatever be suffered to come to the said wharves, until the farther orders of the Board.

The Board also earnestly recommend to the inhabitants of that part of the City included between [Page] Walnut and Spruce streets, and the East side of Front street and the River, and also those immediately in the vicinity thereof to remove without the bounds of the City, and liberties as speedily as possible."

By order of the Board of Managers, WM. JONES, PRESIDENT, Attest, TIMOTHY PAXSON, Clerk.

THE City Hospital was opened to day the 7th for the reception of the sick, and Drs. Physic and Cooper appointed to take charge of it.

9th. Boston boasted of its happy state of health the beginning of this month, but it appears from a paragraph in the Gazette of the United States of the 9th inst. that a malignant fever had made its appearance there about the 1st of July, and that 16 persons had died of it from that time to the 4th of August, at which time there were 10 remaining sick; but that no physician, nurse or attendant on the sick had taken the Disease.

Published by order of the Select Men and signed by Wm. Cooper T. C.

Number of deaths in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia from the 1st to the 5th inst. 53.

A society consisting of 10 or 12 Practitions, called the Academy of Medicine, presented the following address to the Board of Managers on the 8th, which was published in the Philadelphia Gazette of the 9th inst.

§

"THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE of Philadelphia, having taken into consideration the existence of a Malignant Bilious Fever in the city, have conceived [Page] it to be their duty to lay before the Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, the following facts respecting its origin, and the means of checking its progress.

We have upon inquiry discovered that a case of this fever existed in the city on the 6th of June, and that several cases of it existed in July, in parts of the city remote from the river, and wholly unconnected with each other. They appeared to originate from the putrid exhalations of alleys and gutters, and docks, and from the stagnating water in the neighbourhood of the city. We derive the late rapid increase of the fever from the foul air of several ships lately arrived in the port, and from some damaged coffee which arrived in a brig from Jamaica on the 29 July. In the course of our inquiries into the origin of the fever, we did not meet with a single fact that could support the opinion of contagion being imported in the bodies or cloaths of sick people in the ships or vessels which lie between Walnut and Spruce streets, where the disease has prevailed most. Many respectable modern authorities assert that the yellow fever is not contagious in the West-Indies, and repeated observations satisfy us that it is rarely so, during the warm weather in the United States. None of the cases we have as yet seen have propagated it, and we conceive it to be an error as absurd in its nature as it has been fatal in its operation upon the city of Philadelphia, that the contagion of a disease should adhere to the timber of a ship after a sea voyage, and should spread from the timber of the ship without contact through an extensive neighbourhood, and cease to communicate itself afterwards by long and close connection of the sick with their families and attendants. We lament that this fact, together with many others, upon the nature and origin [Page] of the yellow fever, which were stated in our letter to the Governor on the 1st of December, 1797, and by him laid before the legislature of the state, have been treated with total neglect in the present health law: the distress we felt upon seeing that law is, however, much alleviated by the reflection that we have not contributed, in any degree, by supporting an erroneous opinion, to reproduce the present alarming calamity of our city.

We beg leave to recommend for the purpose of checking the progress of the fever, an attention to the following directions:

1st. The removal of all the families from those parts of the city where the disease, from the contamination of the atmosphere, appears chiefly to exist, and the preventing those parts being visited by the citizens.

2dly. The removal of all ships and putrid articles of commerce from the wharves and stores of the city.

3dly. The cleaning of the docks, wharves, yards and cellars; also the washing of the gutters every day, and of the streets and alleys three times a week, by means of pumps and fire engines.

4thly. The appointment of a sufficient number of physicians to take care of such of the poor as may be affected with the fever.

5thly. Publicly to advise the citizens to avoid all the usual exciting causes of fever, such as intemperance, fatigue, excessive heat, the night air, all violent and debilitating passions of the mind.

6thly. To advise them, in every case of indisposition, however slight in appearance, to apply immediately for medical aid.

Signed by order of the Acad. of Med. of Philadelphia.

PHILIP SYNG PHYSIC, President.

FRANCIS BOWES SAYRE, Secretary.

August 8.

[Page] ONE of the Fellows of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, asserts, that the College is in possession of unequivocal evidence, that the Malignant Fever, (which is essentially the same as the Yellow Fever of the West Indies) now existing in this city, was brought into it by an infected vessel, lately arrived from the West Indies. The writer of this note has already seen it, in more than one instance, communicated by contagion, at a considerable distance from that part of the city where it first made its appearance. The evidence on which this information is founded will be detailed as soon as health and safety shall be restored to the city. In the mean time the writer thought it would be an act of treachery to withhold the above information at a time when attempts are again making to confound and mislead the public mind.

August 10.

John Saunders and Mrs M'Keever, both treated with occasional bleeding and salivated by the use of mercury externally as well as internally, are now on the recovery.

Mr. Samuel Russel and Mr. Lloyd treated in a similar manner, but not being able to produce salivation are both dangerously ill.

Lauderburn has been bled repeatedly and taken several mercurial purges, and is recovering.

Mrs. Wall, an elderly lady, was attacked with fever accompanied with lethargic symptoms. Treated with ven [...]section cathartics and blisters, is recovering.

10th. Elizabeth May, a mantua maker, employed at Achison Thompson's, where some of the first cases occurred this season, was attacked with the fever to day.

A gentleman that had been much in the chamber of Russel, was attacked with the fever to day.

[Page]

August 11th.

Only 7 persons were interred yesterday in all the grave yards of the city and Liberties, a proof that the air of the city cannot be generally contaminated.

The New-York papers of yesterday, announce the exemption of that city from the yellow fever, and assert its remarkable healthfulness at this time.

Messrs. Loyd and Russel, both died last night, being the 6th. day from the attack with Mr. Loyd, and the 7th. with Mr. Russel.

James Wright, treated with mercury and moderate bleeding, is on the recovery.

§

August 13th.

Mrs. Rain and her little daughter, have recovered from the fever, by the use of simple laxatives and bleeding Their symptoms were neither highly inflammatory nor accompanied with great debility and nervous affections.

Abraham Douglass, a young athletic lad, has recovered after repeated blood-letting and the use of an amazing quantity of mercury, both externally and internally.

Captain Hollingquist, sent from a vessel at Market Street wharf to the marine hospital, died there.

A little girl daughter to John Aitkin, in Second near Pine Street, died to day on the 4th of her illness, had taken no medicines but castor oil and simple teas, appears to have caught the disease from an apprentice who had left the house much indisposed a few days before.*

[Page]

August 13th. ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

Health-Office, 13th August, 1798.

THE Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals have observed with deep regret the fatal consequences of delay in the applications for medical aid to persons afflicted with the prevailing malignant fever, and that the removal of patients to the City Hospital, in many cases, is procrastinated until they are literally sent there to die.

They recommend, in the most earnest manner, the early removal of patients to the City Hospital, where, the public may be assured, that every possible comfort and accommodation will be afforded.—The public are informed, that the care of patients, and management of the City Hospital, is committed to Doctor Physick and Doctor Cooper, who reside constantly there, and whose professional eminence, it is presumed, will secure a just confidence.

An Apothecary also resides at the Hospital, with an ample store of the best medicines.

The Board consider this recommendation as of the highest importance, and entreat the attention of their fellow-citizens.

By order of the Board of Managers, WM. JONES, President. Attest, TIMOTHY PAXSON, Clerk.

RICHARD ALLEN'S ADVERTISEMENT.

*⁎* WHEREAS numbers of the citizens of Philadelphia have left the city and shut up in their houses their dogs and cats, whose howlings and cries are so frequent and loud as to disturb the neighbourhood in which they are confined. The subscriber takes [Page] the liberty of hinting to the owners of such animals as remain in this state of confinement and starvation, the propriety of empowering some friend in town to liberate them as speedily as possible.

RICHARD ALLEN.

Acheson Thompson's child, when apparently in a convalescent state, was taken to Germantown, treated there for worms, and died.

Miss M. G.‡ and E. May have both recovered. They were both bled twice, took two mercurial cathartics, and calomel in small doses, for two days, and had no return of fever after the 5th.

Polly Wood sent to the Hospital.§

A boy of the name of Bennet, whom I reported as a Yellow Fever case, turns out to be a case of the Small-Pox; the pustles numerous, but distinct.

He was twice blooded, and purged with calomel and jalap before the eruption appeared.

Miss Wharton and her mother, who were much with Mrs. Allen, in Front near Walnut-street, during her illness, are now both ill with the fever.

Mr. Myers, in Front-street, sick to-day.

First case in Chancery Lane.

First case in Race above Seventh-Street.

Received information from Dr. Keimly to-day, that he had attended one of the crew of the Deborah who died under his care about the 1st or 2d of August.

[Page] A young man of Mr. Dunaut's, under the care of Doctor Griffitts, is now on the recovery.

Mr. F. Hamilton not expected to live; had been employed in Mr. Yard's stores near Walnut-street wharf.‖

August 14.

The College of Physicians had a special meeting to-day—only 12 members present.

Mrs. Roberts and two daughters are sick in Christian-street; they know of no way they could have taken the disease, as they had been in no house where there was any person sick, nor in any part of the city where the disease was prevalent; and no person from any sick house, excepting Wm. Douglass's nurse, had been at their house.

The Mayor of Baltimore boasts of the health of the inhabitants of that city on the 10th instant, and recommends watering the streets.

ORDERS OF THE BALTIMORE BOARD OF HEALTH.

THE Board of Health taking into consideration the danger that may arise from cargoes of coffee, hides, &c. being discharged within the limits of the city, at this season of the year—

Therefore resolved, That all vessels arriving from any of the West-India islands laden with the aforesaid articles, or other produce, that may be liable to damage or putrefaction, be prohibited by the health officer from coming up into port; but that the cargo thereof be discharged into another vessel, while it remains in the river, and the necessary care extended to purify the same, before it be admitted into the city.

[Page] Also resolved, That it be recommended to customhouse officers not to enter any vessel at the customhouse without a certificate being first produced from the health-officer, expressive of his approbation of the same, until the Board may advise to the contrary.

Commis. of Health.

William Winchester,

Joseph Townsend,

Michael Diffenderffer,

John E. Reese,

William C. Goldsmith,

John Dalrymple,

Levin Hall,

James B [...]ays,

Benjamin Thomas,

Baltimore, August 10th, 1798.

The City Hospital is situated on a low flat piece of ground, on the east side of Schuylkill, with a tract of marshy ground in front.

Of 22 patients admitted into this Hospital, during the first three days, 14 died in the course of a week, and only two have yet been discharged. Doctors Physick and Cooper, the resident physicians, astonished at this unparalleled mortality, addressed the following letter to Dr. Rush:

From the American Daily Advertiser.

CITY HOSPITAL, August 12th, 1798.

Dear Doctor,

OUR want of success in treating the prevailing disease, makes us anxious to hear from you, in hopes that you may have added some new and useful remedy to those heretofore in use. It is true all our [Page] patients have been sick at least two, and some of them nine days previously to their admission. Is there any mode of relieving these unfortunate people which you can suppose we are unacquainted with? We recollect your observing that an emetic had been useful after the disease appeared to be mitigated by bleeding. If you can spare a few minutes to us on these subjects, you will much oblige your sincere friends, &c.

PHILIP SYNG PHYSICK.

SAMUEL COOPER.

Dr. Benjamin Rush.

THE ANSWER.

My Dear and Worthy Friends,

I AM sorry to discover by your letter, your want of success in the treatment of our malignant fever at the City Hospital. I do not wonder at it. You seldom see the disease in its first stage, and when you do, you meet it in an aggravated state by the motion your patients undergo in being conveyed to the Hospital.

In answer to your request, I have sat down to inform you of the practice which I have adopted in our present epidemic. In the treatment of the yellow fever of last year, I have occasionally lamented the loss of patients after reducing the pulse by bleeding, and by the liberal use of purging medicines. I have suspected that death occurred in those cases, from the stagnation of acrid bile in the gall bladder, or its close adherence to the upper bowels in the manner described by Doctor Mitchell in his account of the yellow fever in Virginia, in the year 1741. The slow pulse which occurs about the 4th day, I suspect further to be the effect of this bile. Its effects in a much more morbid state in the Jaundice, [Page] in reducing the pulse, is well known. Mr. John Hunter says he once met with an instance in which it fell to 32 strokes in a minute in that disease. Revolving these facts in my mind, I resolved to try to remove this bile by exciting an artificial cholera morbus, about the 4th day of the fever. I was the more disposed to attempt this method of cure, from believing, as I have done for several years, that a cholera morbus is nothing but the first grade of bilious fever thrown in upon the bowels, just as the Dysentery and Diarrhoea are the internal forms of a common bilious or intermitting fever.

I began this mode of treating the fever eight days ago. My solicitude for the issue of it was very great. Thank God it has succeeded to my wishes, and thereby lessened in a great degree, the anxiety and distress which accompany our attendance upon this ferocious disease. The medicines I use for shaking the gall-bladder and bowels and discharging the contents are, tartar emetic, gamboge, jalap and calomel, combined, or given separately, and in small or large doses, according to circumstances. Perhaps Turpeth Mineral might be added to this list of vomiting and purging medicines with advantage. In one case I gave four grains of tartar emetic, and twenty of calomel. It operated freely upwards and downwards, and brought away a large quantity of green and black bile, but without exciting the least cramp or pain in the stomach or bowels. At the time I gave it, death appeared to be creeping upon my patient. The next day he was out of danger. The person thus rescued from the grave, was a son of Mr. Richard Renshaw. Indeed I have not, as yet, lost a single patient to whom I have given this powerful remedy. In one instance I fear it will fail. It is in a boy of 16 years of age, to whom I have given near thirty grains of tartar emetic in the course [Page] of a few hours without producing the least evacuation from his stomach or bowels. I have observed the same encrease of strength after its operation, that we observe after bleeding and purging in the beginning of the fever.

Vomits are old remedies in the yellow fever of the West-Indies. I gave them on the first day of the disease in the year 1793, and always without success. They uniformly did harm when given in the beginning of the fever in its worst grade, in 1797. The reason of this failure in their efficacy, I now perceive was because they were given before the violent morbid action in the system, was reduced or moderated by bleeding and purging. After this change is induced in the disease, they are perfectly safe. The time for exhibiting them should be regulated by the pulse, and other symptoms. In moderate cases of the fever, they are as proper in its first stage, as on the 4th day. As there is a blistering point in all fevers, so there appears to be an emetic point in the yellow fever It may occur on the second, and it may be protracted to the sixth or seventh day of the disease. I have not given the medicines I have mentioned in any case where the patient complained of pain or burning in the stomach, but I have considered a nausea, and a moderate degree of puking as no obstacle to it's use, for Dr. Physick has taught me by his dissections, that these symptoms may exist without the least inflammation in the stomach, and that they have been absent where the stomach has appeared after death to have been highly inflamed.

The cure of the fever should not rest upon a single dose of the medicine. I have given two doses of it in a day in several cases, and have given it in one case every day for three successive days.

It has often been remarked, that no two epidemics are exactly alike. They vary not only in different [Page] climates, but in the same climate in different years. They even vary with the changes of the weather in the same season. The fever of 1797 differed in several particulars from the fever of 1793, and the present epidemic differs materially from both. In many of the cases I have seen, it exceeds the fever of last year in its malignity. These variations in diseases call for corresponding changes in our practice.

I have communicated an account of the time and manner of discharging the contents of the gall-bladder and bowels to several of our brethren. I ardently hope it may be universally successful in their hands.

If any thing new occurs in your practice in the Hospital, do me the favor of informing me of it.

With best wishes for your health and success in your present arduous situation, I am your sincere friend,

BENJAMIN RUSH.

August 13th, 1798.

Doctors Physick and Cooper.

August 15th.

John Jervis is appointed by the Board of Health to call on the physicians every morning, for a return, in writing, of new cases for the last 24 hours.

Three fourths of the inhabitants residing below Chesnut and South streets, and between Water and Fourth streets, have already deserted the city; and numbers are moving out of Southwark, the Northern Liberties, and from the little village of Kensington, which is entirely detached from the city and suburbs.

Mr. Franks Hamilton, a young gentleman employed in Mr. Yards stores, in the neighbourhood of which he died last night.

[Page] A young woman called Nancy Robinson, who was in the City Hospital with the fever last year, is now ill with it again, and ordered to the Hospital by Dr. Samuel Duffield, who gave me this information this morning.

August 16th.

Was attacked very severely myself with cholera last night, which has left me extremely debilitated.

August 17th.

Sixty-five patients have now been admitted into the City Hospital, under the care of Doctors Physick and Cooper.

The disease is making progress in different directions.

Captain Valence died in Shippen-street on the 14th.

August 18th.

The Board of Health have appointed Doctor Francis Sayer and Dr. Jn. Church to attend the poor sick in the Northern and Southern Liberties; and Doctor Samuel Duffield consulting physician of the port, to attend the poor sick in the city; and press them to make early application.

August 19th.

Only two adults and two infants have died in the Alms-house from the 12th to the 18th instant.

The woman that nursed Abm. Douglass was salivated by rubbing him with mercurial ointment, and was attacked with the fever while in the salivation. A similar circumstance happened to Dr. W. Boys [Page] last year, while his system was charged with mercury, on account of a liver complaint, and he had the disease very severely.

August 20th.

The Select and Common Councils authorise the Mayor to borrow 10,000 dollars, in anticipation of the taxes of the present year, to be applied to the purposes of watching and watering the city, and such other objects as the Mayor shall deem necessary for the general protection of the city during the present calamity.

The Mayor of Baltimore issues a proclamation, prohibiting all intercourse with Philadelphia, which is as follows:

STATE OF MARYLAND, City of Baltimore, ss. BY JAMES CALHOUN, Mayor of the City of Baltimore. A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS I have received satisfactory information, that a malignant and mortal fever now rages in the city of Philadelphia; and there is great reason to apprehend the said disease may be communicated to this place from the number of passengers and quantity of baggage and other goods daily brought here from the said city, especially by the water communication, unless the intercourse be in some degree restrained:

I HAVE THEREFORE, with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Health, deemed it incumbent to issue this proclamation, hereby forbidding the entrance into the city of Baltimore, or within three miles thereof, of all persons whomsoever, as [Page] well as all baggage or other goods, which have come from the city of Philadelphia, until they shall at least have been fifteen days absent therefrom: excepting only from this restriction, all such persons or goods as may have come from the said city of Philadelphia, by land, and shall stop at Merry's tavern, on the Philadelphia road, and be there examined by doctor Joseph Way, and obtain his passport of admittance. This proclamation to remain in force until public information is given to the contrary, of which all persons concerned are desired to take notice, and govern themselves accordingly.

GIVEN under my hand and the corporate seal of the city of Baltimore, this 18th day of August, 1798.

JAMES CALHOUN, Mayor of the City of Baltimore.

Letters received yesterday from New-York, state that the yellow fever has appeared in several families in that city, and had occasioned a number of deaths.

Copy of a letter to the Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, dated August 20th, 1798.

FOR THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

SINCE my last report, which was on the 15th instant, I have been engaged in attending three persons, with the malignant fever, out of town, the infection of which they appear to have received previous to their leaving it. Since my return to town, I find the woman who nursed Mr. Douglass's son has been affected with the same disease, though she was salivated from rubbing him with mercurial ointment, and must have received it from him by contagion, [Page] as she had never been out of the house for six days previous to the attack.

I also know two persons that have taken the disease this year who had it last year. A young man at the corner of Second and Lombard streets, who lived in the family of Mr. Cockburn, at the corner of Spruce and Front streets, (who with his wife and a boy lately died in the same house of the existing fever) and his brother is now in the disease. There are at this time 10 or 12 persons with it in the Alleys near Mr. Hunter's, the druggist, in Second-street. Dr. Paschalis has had five applications since last evening; one, a French jeweller in Second near Chesnut street, Mr. Valence and sister in Spruce-street, &c. Dr. Church is attending two fresh cases in the family of Mrs. Roberts, in Christian-street. You need not be reminded of the cases in Race and Vine streets, and in Kensington. In short, the disease is rapidly and sensibly spreading into every part of the city, and can no longer be suppressed till frost arrives to disarm it of its power. If this be the case, (and that it is, past events demonstrate) would it not be advisable (I mean not to dictate but merely to enquire, from motives of pure and, in the present instance, disinterested humanity) to apprize the citizens which still remain in town, of their danger, and to furnish them with instructions how to escape its destructive ravages?

Advice from you, in your collective capacity, would have the virtue of a law, and would be promptly obeyed. From an individual it would appear presumptious or at least officious, and instead of having the effect intended, would only serve to rouse the demon of envy, or provoke the venom of slander. I submit the matter to your better judgment, and am, with sincere respect, yours, &c.

[Page]

August 21st.

Mr. T. F. a very promising youth, died some distance from the city to-day.

August 22d.

Only 12 persons died of the fever at Boston from the 3d to the 16th inst. and there were only 17 sick at that time. Only 28 have died since the 1st of July to the 16th.

From the Philadelphia Gazette, of this date.

The present alarming situation of our city, is alas, truly deplorable—almost in a general state of infection with the disease, to whose virulence, medicinal skill is lamentably compelled, to acknowledge its inferiority! Former experience is rendered in a great measure useless by the very material difference in the nature of the disease—The most copious bleeding, and the most violent purgatives have been found ineffectual; and the success that will attend the new system of emptying the gall-bladder, is at least problematical. With regard to the opinion of the non-contagion of the disorder, I have very great reason to doubt it. I have known, lately, several instances that could not be accounted for upon any other principle than that of contagion. The most striking of the cases I allude to, is, where several of a family, living in a healthy and uninfected part of the city, took the disorder from a person in the family, whom they had for several days closely attended; without having themselves been in any part of the city that could even have been supposed to be infected. I would caution my fellow-citizens not to trust too implicitly to this fatal opinion, which has been so industriously propagated. A confidence in it, in case it should happen to be erroneous, may prove the destruction of thousands, while by acting under a disbelief [Page] of it, and using every possible precaution, as many lives may be preserved. It is at least doubtful whether it is or is not contagious, and there being a doubt, I think the wisest course to be pursued is obvious. I would advise my friends to avoid, as much as possible, exposing themselves to the night air or morning fogs, nothing tending more effectually to predispose the body to infection.

Temperate living both in eating and drinking is of as much consequence. Any thing that enriches the blood—any thing that has the smallest tendency to inflammation is most carefully to be avoided. I speak this, my fellow-citizens, with confidence. Both in '93 and '97 I knew many instances, where people situated in the very bed of infection, by living with extraordinary temperance, escaped. The idea entertained by many persons, that generous living, or in other words, high seasoned food, and a glass of good Madeira, from the best and most effectual bulwark, is too preposterous and absurd to merit much comment. Constant experience and the plainest principles of common sense flatly contradict it. Simple and at the same time, nourishing food, consisting chiefly of vegetables and ripe fruits, avoiding meats as much as possible, and never using any but in their simplest state, I would strongly recommend. Violent exercise, by heating the blood, seldom fails to be succeeded by a violent attack of the disorder, and is therefore to be guarded against. I shall conclude my observations, by remarking that cooling drinks prepared with cream of tartar, tamarinds, lemons, currant jelly, or any kinds of acid fruits, are highly proper both as preventatives and remedies; and that nothing has a better or more powerful effect in preventing putrid appearances than a constant and unremitting use of acids.

[Page]

From the Gazette of the United States.

Mr. FENNO,

IT is an observation founded in truth, that few if any people in the world, have gone further in works of philanthrophy than the citizens of Philadelphia. Let him who discredits it, take an impartial survey of the various institutions erected in this city, for the relief of suffering humanity, many of which are supported by the voluntary contributions of benevolent individuals, and his doubts shall vanish—Yet some further regulations appear to be indispensable—there are persons for whom, either the laws have made no provision, or to whose pitiable condition the hand of mercy, under the laws, has not been extended.

It is but recently that a poor wretch was suffered to lie and perish in one of the streets in the Northern Liberties, without the least kind of assistance having been afforded him: whether the police officers are justly censurable for a neglect of duty, or otherwise, is not my business to enquire; the fact is, however, certain. Had his case been duly attended to, this hapless son of misery might, perhaps, have been rescued from an untimely grave.

In the Pennsylvania Hospital, a person cannot be admitted, but under certain qualifications; but this institution is liberal in its principles, and in its practice. It is a point of prudence, and perhaps of necessity, not to receive into the alms-house, any person having a contagious disorder, it is not knowingly done—and, unless the object be afflicted with the prevailing malady, or suspected to be so, he cannot procure an entrance into the City Hospital.

A few days since a circumstance occurred which was truly distressing—A German, a stranger in the place, applied to be admitted into the Pennsylvania [...] his case did not come strictly within their [Page] cognizance, and he was refused. He then solicited an entrance into the alms-house, but having the dysentery, and not being entitled to a place of residence here, he was unsuccessful. His next application was to captain Allen, health-officer of the port, but the captain conceiving himself unauthorized to send him to the City Hospital, the poor wretch was turned away without any hope of relief. What became of him I know not, but the deep distress, anxiety, and despondency depicted in his countenance produced a correspondent sentiment of sympathy in the minds of the bystanders, all of whom seemed to regret his unhappy condition, though none knew in what manner to grant him the aid he required.

Let us but recall the case of this unfortunate man home to our own bosoms—diseased, friendless and disconsolate—situate in a strange country, where he knew not the countenance of a single human being; incapable of providing for himself, and unable from illness to leave the city; willing to take refuge even in an infected hospital, and I am sure there is no man who is not absolutely callous to the voice of misery, and dead to every thing which bears the stamp of humanity, who will not approve of some plan being fallen on for the comfortable accommodation of such of his suffering fellow-men—A plan for this laudable purpose is not only very feasible, but of very easy practicability. I would advise then, that a temporary building be immediately erected near the City Hospital, into which all diseased persons, willing to go, should be freely and without ceremony admitted. If, on experiment, they are found to have the prevailing malady, they should be placed in the hospital; if otherwise, they should be provided for as circumstances would render humane and proper. But, as a more permanent and effectual establishment, there should be attached to the institution of [Page] the alms-house, not directly joining it, an infirmary, into which all persons designed to be accommodated in the institution, should at first be sent there to undergo an examination of judicious physicians, and afterwards either to be provided for in the infirmary, or to be otherwise disposed of, as their several cases might require. Surely there can be no reasonable objection to a plan of this kind—the expence would be trifling, compared with the magnitude of the object, and the good which might result from it, would be incalculable. The man who will set about accomplishing this object, must succeed—and will doubtless have, not only the inestimable enjoyment of an approving mind, but the blessing of many a woe-worn object of wretchedness.

If public institutions will not shelter under their roofs, diseased and penny-less wretches, can it, or ought it to be expected, that private persons will? And especially at a time, when the horror attached to the idea of introducing the yellow fever into their families, produces, in the minds of most, a species of morbid panic, which paralizes every sentiment of hospitality towards suspected individuals.

I am not so tenacious of my plan but that I will most cordially support a better, if one more eligible is proposed by a more happy genius: but this is no time for temporising, or halting between two opinions; something must be promptly done; and I now call on my fellow-citizens, in the name of every thing dear to humanity, not to hesitate, or trifle on the occasion. To the guardians of the poor, and the managers of the marine and city hospitals, I make the appeal, and trust it will not be in vain—They have the power and the means of accomplishing the object; they are men; they must be possessed of a fellow-feeling for the unfortunate, and must be convinced of the urgency of the occasion. To [Page] provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, is an indispensible duty. Let us do all we can, and leave the issue to that all-wise, and all-controuling Providence, who will bless every honest labour, and who regards with equal care, the whole family of mankind.

PHILADELPHUS.

Only 2 adults and 2 infants have died in the alms-house from the 12th to the 18th inst. (Signed) JOHN CUMMINGS, Steward.

Twenty persons sick in Boston on the 20th instant. (Phila. Gaz.)

August 25th.

Mr. Douglass's nurse has recovered.

At the very time that disease and death were making rapid strides in New York, the following boast of its health appeared in the public papers of that city:

§

New-York, August 24th.

It appears from the declarations of physicians and best informed citizens, that New-York, except as to a few solitary instances, which occur every summer, is as healthy as it has been known to be for several years past.

We are very far from wishing to boast of our happiness, or make invidious comparisons with other places, but we can have no objection to see truth prevail over falshood, whether it operates favourably or not, to our interest. Were an epidemic to exist here, and extend itself, it would be equally wrong, useless and unadvisable to attempt to conceal the fact.—How long the general health may continue is not for us to predict—but we hope that the present favorable state of the air and the efforts made by [Page] our citizens to keep the city as clean as possible, will continue to be attended with salutary effects.

August 28th.

Tents were erected yesterday near Schuylkill, for the reception of the indigent and necessitous citizens that choose to leave it—and are superintended by a committee from the board of health and guardians of the poor.

Visiting committe, are Peter Mierken—Isaac Price, James Olden and John Keihr.

August 29th.

FEVER AT PORTSMOUTH. (N. H.)

In consequence of the prevalence of a fever in that town, a health committee has been appointed. The following is extracted from their first official report:

"That from the first appearance of the fever, which was about the 20th July, to 20th August, inclusive, 11 persons have died of that disorder, and no one since Monday last.

Monday, 1 o'clock P. M.—No person seized since yesterday; 8 persons only sick of the fever, 3 of whom are convalescents, and with two others the symptoms more favorable than yesterday. The town, in other respects, in as healthy a state as usual."

On the 24th inst. the returns of sick in Boston were 23—and 9 convalescents. On the 20th there were only 20 sick in that place.

Mr. Davis, who retired to Norriston to escape the fever, died on the 24th, being the sixth day from the attack. Had been repeatedly bled and purged with mercury by Dr. H. for the first three days— [Page] and on the 4th took an emetic that operated very severely and occasioned great debility, and disposition to swooning—Distress of stomach increased in the night, and continued with unabated violence till the close of life.

Official accounts from Boston state, that the fever there is on the decline.

A writer in the New-York Commercial Advertiser advises the inhabitants not to let another year pass away without the introduction of streams of water into that city, and adds—"Your fellow-citizens are now flying into the country, and perhaps the scenes of 1795 are to be acted over again."

Received information to-day from Mr. Tarrill, that captain Chace, who lodged with him at Meldrum's Inn, at the sign of the Ostrich, in the Northern Liberties, went on board a vessel from Portland, about the 10th or 12th inst. which lay at Shoemaker's wharf near Vine-street, to see captain Wait, whose mate was at the time very ill on board, and that captain Chace was taken ill a few days after his visit, and died.

August 31st.

Baltimore exults in her exemption from the malignant fever this year: "Baltimore, August 29. The seasonable and copious fall of rain upon and in the neighbourhood of our city, has replenished the atmosphere with oxygene, and rendered the respirable air elastic and salubrious. We have as yet continued free from the most distant symptoms of a contagious fever; and should the weather remain in its present state ten days more, we need not be under the least apprehension of an epidemic this year.— [Page] How partial is our over-ruling Providence, and how grateful ought and should we be for his favors!—Hapless Philadelphia—once the Athens and pride of this Western World; but now, alas! a scene of misery, a groaning hospital, a deserted, almost solitary monument of silent grandeur!"

The whole number with fever in Boston on the 31st was 32—and only two have died since the 27th.

Private letters from New-York, state that "the west part of that city is as free from sickness as it was ever known to be at this season of the year. It is very true that the fever does exist in other parts of the city, but by no means to that alarming degree which flying reports represent."

Notes

*

The apprentice recovered.

↵

‡

Miss M. G. left town on Sunday, returned the Friday following, and was attacked with fever immediately, and after died being the 6th day from the time she had been exposed to the contagion from Jas. Wright.

↵

§

Died the 6th day from attack.

↵

‖

Died a few days after.

↵

§

§

§

[Page]

A TABLE, Of the Weather in September.

DAY | THERMOMETER. | WIND. | WEATHER.
At 8 A. M. | At 2 P. M. | A.M. P.M.
1 |  |  |  | Fair, light breeze.
2 |  |  | NE | Heavy dew, flying clouds, strong breeze, unpleasantly cold in the evening, sprinkling rain; heavy rain in the night with high wind and loud and almost constant thunder and lightning.
3 |  |  |  | Overcast, strong breeze, ponds nearly filled with water.
4 |  |  | SW W | Flying clouds, sultry till noon, cool pleasant P.M. fair.
5 |  |  | W | Cool, pleasant, fair.
6 |  |  | W | Cool, pleasant, fair.
7 | 62 | 68 | SW | Overcast.
8 |  | 62 | W | Overcast, moist air, fair P. M. cool evening, heavy dew.
9 | 60 | 70 | W | Hazey, fair P. M. fresh breeze.
10 | 62 | 66 | W | Calm, fair.
11 | 62 | 68 |  | Fair, light breeze.
12 | 62 | 72 | E | Fair, strong breeze.
13 | 60 | 70 | W SW | Fair, fresh breeze.
14 | 60 | 70 | W | Thick fog early A. M. calm.
15 | 64 | 80 | SW | Thick fog, fair, light breeze.
16 | 66 | 84 | SW S | Fog, till 10 A. M. fair P. M.
17 | 72 | 84 | SW | Sultry, fair.
18 | 76 | 80 | SE | Cloudy, sultry, heavy rain, with thunder about 5 P. M. and several heavy showers in the course of the night, without thunder.
19 |  |  |  | Heavy shower at daylight, roads deep with mud, all the dirt and filth washed out of the streets of the city by the rain that fell in torrents last night.
20 | 68 | 82 | SE | Thick fog and heavy dew, sultry, oppressive, flying clouds.
21 | 72 | 74 | WSWW | Heavy shower for two hours, P. M. breeze in the evening.
22 | 62 | 68 | NW | Fair, fresh breeze.
23 | 58 | 62 | N NW | Fair, fresh breeze.
24 | 62 | 70 | NW | Fair, strong breeze.
25 | 50 | 62 | NW | Wind high and stormy, fair,
26 | 50 | 61 | N W | Strong wind, fair, calm evening.
27 | 52 | 64 | W SW | Fair A. M. cloudy and rain P. M. very heavy rain in the night.
28 | 48 | 54 | N W | High and tempestuous all day, flying clouds.
29 | 40 | 44 | N W | Strong and piercing winds, fair.
30 | 44 | 60 | N W | A light white frost for the first time this season.

Marine Hospital Returns from 1st of August to 1st of September.

Patients in the Hospital on 1st August, 9.

Admitted since to 1st September, 16.

Died, 8.

Discharged, 8.

Remaining, 9.

[Page]

DAILY RETURNS Of the sick, and of the deaths in the City Hospital, and in the City and Liberties, for the month of September.

HOSPITAL REPORTS. | Admit. | Cured. | Deaths. | Rem. in H. | Conval. | Eloped. | TOTAL DEATHS.
From 31st of August to the 1st of September. | 18 | 2 | 12 | 81 | 20 | 0 | Total deaths in Hospital, City, &c. 48. including 5 children.
107 new cases by 20 Physicians. |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1st. to 2d. | 22 | 1 | 7 | 91 | 31 | 0 | 41
2d. to 3d. | 8 | 5 | 9 | 84 | 25 | 0 | 28
130 new cases for last 48 hours by 19 Physicians. 3d. to 4th. | 18 | 2 | 8 | 91 | 25 | 0 | 65 including 11 children.
87 new cases by 17 Physicians. 4th. to 5th. | 17 | 0 | 10 | 98 | 25 | 0 | 67 including 6 children.
100 new cases by 19 Physicians. 5th. to 6th. | 25 | 2 | 4 | 116 | 50 | 0 | 5 [...]-3 children.
93 new cases by 19 Physicians. 6th. to 7th. | 17 | 3 | 13 | 117 | 25 | 0 | 52 including 2 children.
127 new cases reported for the last 24 hours by 18 Physicians. 7th. to 8th. | 14 | 2 | [...] | 122 | 25 | 0 | 63 including 3 children.
110 new cases by 19 Physicians. 8th. to 9th. | 16 | 13 | 7 | 120 | 43 | 0 | 73 inc. 12 ch.
9th. to 10th. | 11 | 2 | 13 | 115 | 41 | 0 | 74 including 22 children.
10th. to 11th. | 14 | 5 | 8 | 117 | 35 | 0 | 73 including 12 children.
91 new cases by 17 Physicians. 11th. to 12th. | 15 | 0 | 9 | 122 | 35 | 0 | 71 including 6 children.
105 New cases by 18 Physicians. 12th. to 13th. | 16 | 3 | 9 | 125 | 35 | 0 | 57 including 7 children.
85 new cases reported by 20 Physicians. [Page] From 13th. to 14th. | 10 | 3 | 8 | 112 | 35 | 0 | 62 including 7 children.
92 new cases reported by 20 physicians. 15th. to 16th. | 18 | 4 | 7 | 117 | 35 | 0 | 62 including 5 children.
97 new cases reported by 20 physicians. 15th. to 17th. | 27 | 7 | 14 | 121 | 35 | 0 | 128 for last 48 hours.
198 new cases reported by 20 physicians for last 48 hours. 17th. to 18th. | 17 | 0 | [...] | 131 | 35 | 1 | 57 including 9 children.
105 new cases reported by 19 physicians. 18th. to 19th. | 32 | 1 | 9 | 157 | 35 | 2 | 58 including 8 children.
84 new cases reported by 19 physicians. 19th. to 20th. | 20 | 6 | 9 | 154 | 65 | 2 | 69 including 10 children.
72 new cases reported by 20 physicians. 20th. to 21st. | 16 | 0 | 13 | 158 | 65 | 0 | 78 including 1 [...] children.
126 new cases reported by 18 physicians. [Page] From 21st. to 22d. | 15 | 1 | 7 | 164 | 65 | 1 | 68 including 8 children.
86 new cases by 18 Ph. 22d. to 23d. | 15 | 26 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71
23d. to 24th. | 18 | 0 | 15 | 145 | 39 | 0 | 63
194 new cases for 48 h. by 18 Physicians. 24th. to 25th. | 24 | 12 | 8 | 149 | 27 | 0 | 80 including 6 children.
85 new cases by 14 Ph, 25th. to 26th. | 14 | 6 | 16 | 140 | 21 | 1 | 77 including 3 children.
95 new cases by 14 Ph. 26th. to 27th. | 13 | 0 | 7 | 146 | 70 |  | 82 including 9 children.
95 new cases by 13 Ph. 27th. to 28th. | 13 |  | 01 | 136 | 57 | 0 | 106 including 18 children.
54 new cases by 1 28th. to 29th. | 9 | 4 | 8 | 133 | 53 | 0 | 75
67 new cases by [...]3 Ph. 29th. to 30th. | 10° | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 including 7 children.
[...]0th. to 1st. October. | 11° | 22 | 15 | 106 | 31 | 0 | 85
110 new cases 13 Ph. |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 474 | 145 | 290 |  | 106 | 2 | 1846

[Page]

Occurrences in September, &c.

September 1st.

Dr. Cooper, one of the resident physicians of the City Hospital, and Dr. Sayre, appointed to attend the poor of the Northern Liberties, are both very ill to-day, though pronounced in the public papers of yesterday to be on the recovery.

Dr. Cooper appears to have received the disease by contagion, in the Hospital, as he had not been in any other part of the city for more than three weeks before his attack.

The following pathetic address was published in the Philadelphia Gazette of to-day, by the Managers the Marine and City Hospitals:

Health-Office, September 1, 1798.

FELLOW-CITIZENS,

IMPELLED by the awful progress and unparalleled malignity of the prevailing fever, we are constrained to address your feelings, as well as your reason, in order to avert the fatal destruction which, with rapid strides, is pervading our ill-fated city and suburbs.

The best skill of our physicians, and all the powers of medicine, it must be acknowledged, have proved unequal in the contest with this devouring poison.

With the most affecting sympathy and anxious solicitude, we have to the best of our judgments, endeavoured to employ, as circumstances appeared to require, the power and the means entrusted to us, in arresting its progress, and alleviating its concommitant miseries. We shall continue to employ them with unremitting zeal; but we have neither the power [Page] nor the means to accomplish ALL THE MEASURES necessary to check its extension, or provide for the pressing exigencies of the moment. The powers delegated, and appropriations made by law, to the institutions under our direction, are impotent indeed, when compared to the magnitude of the occasion.

It remains for our fellow-citizens to attain, by their energy, the ends which alone can stop its progress and diminish its horrors.

We have, in conjunction with the Guardians of the Poor, caused tents to be erected on the east bank of the Schuylkill for the accommodation of the indigent; where near twelve hundred are already provided for, out of the fund appropriated for the ordinary relief of the poor. This is but a partial mitigation of the evils which environ thousands who have a claim upon the philanthropy of those who are in more fortunate circumstances.

The difficulty of procuring a place of refuge, at present, in the country, is too well known; and the expense attending the removal of a family has discouraged many from the attempt, who are in circustances to live comfortably at home.

What remains to be done? Citizens of respectability and influence! come forward and form yourselves into a committee for the purpose of erecting on the west bank of the Schuylkill, all the tents that can be collected; let the tents be floored with boards, and made as comfortable as possible—If tents cannot be had, boards in abundance may be procured for the erection of sheds. Admonish those citizens who have no place of refuge, to take shelter there, particularly those from the east part of the city, the district of Southwark, and the Northern Liberties—in short, ALL who can leave their homes without manifest injury; except those who are necessary for the protection of the city and liberties.

[Page] The committee should have the general superintendance and regulation of the tents, and authority to preserve order; contract for certain supplies of bread, meat, vegetables, wood, &c. at the lowest possible rates. Those who are not in circumstances to pay, must be supplied by the public bounty.

It is at least an unequal, perhaps an unjust mode of raising money by an appeal to the humanity of generous individuals; but if on any occasion it may be justified, the present may be assumed without hesitation.

We call your attention to the actual and undisguised state of our city. Consider the mortality and rapid increase of the sick at so early a period. View the list of your physicians, and mark how few are at their posts—and we believe you will think with us, that the preservation of health is only to be attained by flight.

Do not flatter yourselves, fellow-citizens, that this picture is too highly coloured; we speak from conviction, and a knowledge of facts; and doubt not but that the lives of hundreds, perhaps of thousands, may be preserved by the adoption of these or similar measures.

By order of the Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals. WILLIAM JONES, President. Attest, WILLIAM PENROSE, Clerk, p. t.

September 2d.

The Bank of Pennsylvania was opened and robbed to a considerable amount last night, by some unknown villains, who have made their escape.

Dr. Sayre died this morning, after having been pronounced out of danger—deceived by the delusive [Page] truce which so frequently occurs in this relentless malady.

The accounts now from almost every quarter of the city, east of Seventh-street, furnish the most gloomy pictures of disease and death.

Mr. James Conchy's son, a lad of about twelve years old died a few days ago, in a state of febrile phrenzy [...] one of his daughters was drowned at Almond street wharf the same day.

September 3d.

It is stated in the Philadelphia Gazette of this day, that upwards of 40,000 people have fled from the city, and taken refuge in the country, from the ravages of the fever.

Extract of a letter from Wilmington,(Delaware) dated 29th ultimo.

"The fever is now beginning to spread among us; there have been several late deaths of our inhabitants by it." (Phila. Gaz. of Sept. 3.)

All accounts agree, that the fever is making rapid progress in New-York.

Two men from Philadelphia died yesterday, at Reading, of the fever.

Dr. Monro, in a letter to Mr. M'Lean, dated 3d September, after informing him of the death of his brother-in-law, Joseph Miller, esq. mentions, that the yellow fever had made such progress there, that several of the inhabitants were moving out.

September 4th.

Mr. Burnes was the first person that had the yellow [Page] fever in Wilmington, and he caught it in the city early in August.

The following medical advice, addressed to the citizens of Philadelphia, by Doctors Rush and Griffitts, was published in the Philadelphia Gazette of the 4th instant:

MEDICAL ADVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA.

The following directions for the prevention and treatment of the prevailing fever, are affectionately recommended to those citizens of Philadelphia, who are unable to procure the regular attendance and advice of physicians, by BENJAMIN RUSH, SAMUEL P. GRIFFITTS. September 3d, 1798.

THE seeds of the disease may exist in the body, for a considerable time, without doing any harm. It is generally EXCITED by one or more of the following causes, which of course ought to be carefully avoided, viz: fatigue, a long walk, standing in the sun, or in a current of air, intemperance in eating and drinking, costiveness, violent passions, or sudden emotions of the mind, thin dressed, light bed cloathes, and above all, the night air.

It is of consequence for our citizens to know that we have but one fever in our city at present, and that every febrile indisposition partakes of the prevailing malignant epidemic. Hundreds have died from mistaking the first stage of the fever for a common cold. The mistake is a natural one, for it comes on like a cold, and is frequently excited by cool, or cold air. This remark is intended to produce applications for medical aid as soon as possible after [Page] feeling the least symptom of indisposition at the present juncture.

In the forming state of the fever when the patient feels slightly indisposed, and before he is confined to his bed, the following remedies generally check the disease.

A purge of salts, castor oil, or a dose of jalap and calomel. If these fail of giving relief, a gentle sweat should be excited in the usual way. If there be much pain in the head or back, and the pulse be full, or tense, ten or twelve ounces of blood should be lost, before the use of the sweat, and either before or after taking the purge. Entire rest from business and exercise of all kinds will be necessary to give efficacy to the above remedies.

If the existence of the disease were more early, and more generally admitted, and the remedies which have been recommended, used before the fever was completely formed, there are the strongest reasons to believe there would be much less mortality from it.

After the disease is formed, and appears with more or less of the following symptoms, viz. chills, great heat, head-ache, a redness in the eyes, sickness at the stomach, vomiting, pains in the back, limbs and bowels, &c. the following remedies are proper:

1. The loss of ten or twelve ounces of blood two or three times a day while the pulse continues to be FULL, or TENSE.—If the pulse should be SLOWER, and APPARENTLY WEAKER than natural, it calls for bleeding as much as it does when it discovers preternatural fulness and tension.

2. The bowels should be purged at the same time with calomel mixed with jalap or rhubarb in powders or in pills.—The operation of this purging medicine should be aided, when practicable, by clysters composed of half an ounce of glauber salts dissolved [Page] in half a pint of warm water with sweet oil, molasses, and common salt of each a table spoonful, in it.

The bowels should be kept gently open through the whole course of the disease, by means of the above clysters, and any other gently purging medicine.

3. If the stomach should be sick and oppressed with bile, a vomit of ipecacuhana, or tartar emetic may be given at any time on the 3d or 4th day of the disease, provided the pulse has been reduced by previous bleeding and purging. From five to ten drops of laudanum may be given to compose the stomach if the vomit should operate more than three or four times.

4. Calomel should be given from the beginning, in doses of from two to five grains, every two hours, in order to excite a salivation. If the calomel should purge more than two or three times a day, four or five drops of laudanum may be given two or three times a day, in order to confine the calomel to the bowels, and thereby to determine it to the mouth and throat. We have seen no death where this medicine has produced a salivation.

5. After the pulse is reduced by bleeding and purging if the disease has not yielded, a profuse sweat should be excited by wrapping the patient up in blankets, with five or six hot bricks wetted with vinegar applied to different parts of his body, and giving him at the same time large and repeated draughts during twenty four hours of HOT camomile or sage tea, HOT lemonade or weak punch, or any other HOT liquor that is agreeable to him, to drink. This sweat should be continued for twenty-four hours, 'till the patient is out of danger.

6. Blisters should be applied to the wrists and ankles, in common cases, about the third or fourth day of the fever, if the pulse be reduced, or the sickness [Page] at stomach is troublesome. If the head be much affected, a blister should be applied to the neck or to the crown of the head, first cutting off the hair and shaving it, and if the stomach should be much affected after the third or fourth day a large blister should be applied to it.

7. In case of delirium with a languid pulse, poultices of raw garlic with a little mustard should be applied to the feet.

8. Fresh air should be admitted into sick rooms at all times, and cool air in the beginning of the fever when the skin is hot, and the pulse full and tense. In this state of the fever, the hands, feet and face should be washed ten or twelve times a day with cold water. In a cool state of the skin, or when the body is covered with sweat, cool air and cold water are improper.

9. The body and bed linen of the sick should be frequently changed, and all offensive matters discharged from them, should be instantly removed.

In cases of great weakness, the patient should not be permitted to rise from his bed when under the operation of purging physick nor upon any other occasion.

10. The drinks of sick people in the beginning of the fever, should be toast and water, tamarind water, lemonade, currant jelly dissolved in water, apple water or barley water. In the latter stage of the fever, the drink may be porter and water, claret and water, milk and water, or comomile tea.

Weak tea and coffee may be taken in the beginning of the fever. In its second stage the patient may eat bread and milk with roasted apples or soft peaches, chocolate, sago, tapioca, ripe fruits, weak chicken or veal broth, and a little boiled chicken.

It will be improper to depend exclusively upon any one of the above remedies. The combined [Page] force of them all is barely sufficient in many cases to overcome this formidable disease.

P. S. All the above medicines with suitable directions may be had of George Hunter, No. 114, South Second-street; John J. Malcolm, No.78, South Second-street; and Robert Stafford, No.36, Market-street.

The prevalence of the fever in New-York, accounted for, as follows, in the Philadelphia Gazette of the 4th instant, under the New-York head:

FEVER.

A VERY considerable alarm having taking place among the citizens, and the most exaggerated reports circulated about the country, of the sickness with which certain parts of the city are afflicted, we have thought it a duty to make such enquiries as might enable us to place the matter in a point of view, as near the truth as possible.

About the beginning of August, in consequence of the foul, unfinished state of several water-lots, on the East river, between Co [...]nties and the Old-slip, upwards of 20 persons were attacked nearly about the same time, with what appeared to be common colds, some slightly, others more severely; but the general occurrence of the fact in that neighbourhood led to a belief that it arose from a local cause and threatened something more serious. The foulness of the lots, and especially two vacant ones, being receptacles of every kind of filth, was considered as that cause; and in pursuance of official arrangements, they were immediately covered with wholesome sand: The effect was, a general restoration of the sick.

In the neighbourhood of the New-slip, where the buildings for the most part, are small, and many of them inhabited by poor people, who live in a crouded manner, and in situations incapable of proper ventilation, [Page] diseases occurred about the 12th—a number of persons died—but at present there appears to be no great cause of alarm in that quarter.

About the same period, or a little later, two or three persons were seized at Bruce's wharf with suspicious symptoms, and some deaths have taken place there and in its vicinity, owing, it is generally thought, to the extremely foul condition of Bruce and Marston's unfilled lots, bounding on the Eastriver, at the foot of Pine-street—the effluvia issuing from them being highly putrid and offensive. Measures have been taken, and are now in operation, to cover them with wholesome earth, by which means it is hoped the evil in that quarter, if it has arisen from this source, may be corrected.

About the 20th, several persons were seized in Cliff-street, nearly in the same manner as those between Coenties and the Old-slip. At first they generally considered their complaints to be mere colds taken by sleeping with open windows in the violently hot weather which then prevailed—Unfortunately, it was a more serious case. The patients rapidly grew worse, and several died as well there as in John, Gold and Rider-streets, and Eden's-Allies, all lying within the vicinity of Burling-slip sewer. These complaints, on investigation, were thought to proceed, in part, from the offensive state of that sewer; which had, for some time, become a receptacle for various species of putrid matter, and of which the mouth lies nearly opposite John-street, commonly called Golden-hill-street—so that, whenever a South or S. E. wind prevailed, it blew through the sewer, and bore a column of effluvia up John-street, and through that into Cliff, and the adjacent streets, rendering the atmosphere intollerably bad. The best informed physicians are of this opinion. The head of the sewer has since been closed by a valve-door, [Page] and a considerable quantity of quick lime thrown into it, with a view of neutralizing its contents. A similar door, with the same intention, has been added to the Ferry-street sewer.

Other causes are also alledged, and with great plausibility, at least, if not certainty.

It is well known that the cessation of our commercial intercourse with the French Islands, in consequence of their hostile violence, has greatly lessoned the demand for provisions: of course large quantities of beef remained in many cellars, particularly among the merchants of Pearl-street. Much of this, from what is now seen to be an improper mode of packing, as directed by a late law, has lately become tainted, emitted a very putrid effluvium—corrupting the air and contributing its share as a cause of disease. We learn that the commissioners of the health-office have taken measures to have it all inspected, and the spoiled removed out of town. Much already has been sent away, and the remainder is going as fast as possible.

These causes, with the immense fall of rain, and violent heats, experienced in the course of August, are supposed to have originated the disease which has spread such panic as to drive many families into the country.

On the most diligent enquiry however, we cannot find out, that any great subject of alarm exists, except in the neighbourhood of the New-slip—in the vicinity of Darling-slip-sewer—and at the foot of Pine-street, at which places several persons have died.

Individual cases have also occurred in other parts of the town, but, as in 1795, they remain insulated, and without communication to the attendants, as far as we can discover. These, it is generally thought were taken at one or the other of the places before mentioned.

[Page] An opinion has been avowed by some, that the disease has been imported, or arose from damaged coffee, thrown out of a ship on Kelley's dock, west of the New-slip. This, in the present instance, is utterly groundless, and can serve no purpose but that of delusion. The quantity of refuse-coffee alluded to by our advocates for imported contagion did not exceed half a peck, and was the mere sweepings of the hold.

We are informed by a gentleman who has been at the pains to collect a list of the persons interred in the several burial grounds, that during the last week, they averaged about 12 per day—and that previous to Sunday last, there was no very unusual mortality for the season.

With respect to new cases, enquiry at the best sources, enables us to say they have very much declined within the last 24 hours, and that the disease yields more readily to medicine.

How far this statement authorizes the extreme alarm which precipitates so many citizens out of town, we do not know; but it would at least be adviseable that all who remove should leave their houses, cellars and yards in a cleanly condition—that such as remain may not be exposed to the bad effects of their carelessness and indiscretion.

The system of cleanliness adopted by the commissioners of the health-office, we are happy to observe, is pursued with increased vigour; and indefatigable efforts are daily made by that board, to preclude every source of impure air in the city.

This statement may be depended on—it is the result of enquiry of the first authority.

September 4th.

The Banks of North America and Pennsylvania removed this morning to Germantown.

[Page]

September 4th.

Yesterday morning Mr. John Sitgreaves, mercht. died in Germantown—a short time after his removal from the city.

In the city, among others, died, Mr. James Waters, editor of the Weekly Magazine; capt. George Memminger; Mr. Le Breton; and Dr. F. B. Sayre.

The managers of the Hospitals have appointed Dr. Mease and Dr. Kinlaid, to attend the sick poor, of the Northern Liberties and the north part of the city; and Dr. B. Duffield, in conjunction with Dr. Church, to attend the sick poor of the district of Southwark and southern part of the city. Dr. B. Duffield also attends at the Tents, near Schuylkill.

The city was drenched with rain last night and this morning, accompanied with loud explosions of thunder and flashes of lightning.

A committee of the managers of the Hospitals, and a committee of the board of guardians of the poor, met yesterday, for the purpose of devising measures for the relief and assistance of persons desirous of moving from the City and Liberties, during the prevalence of the present malignant fever; when they agreed upon the following Resolutions, viz:

§

At a meeting of a committee of the managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, and a committee of the Board of Guardians of the Poor, for the purpose of devising means for the relief and assistance of persons desirous of removing from the city and Liberties, during the prevalence of the present malignant fever,

Resolved, That a general subscription be solicited [Page] on loan, the sums to be subscribed to be reimbursed out of any fund which the legislature may hereafter appropriate for the purpose.

Resolved, That Peter Miercken, William Jones, Isaac Price, James Olden and Jonathan Robeson, be appointed to receive the monies so raised, to be applied under the direction of the managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, and the Guardians of the poor.

Approved by the Board of the Guardians of the Poor.

PETER MIERCKEN, President.

Alms-house, September 3d, 1798.

Approved by the Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals.

WILLIAM JONES, President.

Health-Office, September 4th, 1798.

Attest, WILLIAM PENROSE, Clk. protem.

A number of donations were received at the Tents near Schuylkill, for the use of the poor, yesterday and to-day.

Dr. Cooper, one of the resident physicians, also died to-day.

One of the nurses and the steward are at present sick at the Hospital.

Previous to this date, the Hospital returns were all signed by Doctors Physick and Cooper, and by James Thompson, steward; published by order of the board of managers, and signed by William Jones, president.

Doctors Proudfit, Boys, Otto and Pheiffer have all taken the disease.

[Page]

September 4th.

The following are the names of such of the Board of Health as still continue to meet and transact business: Wm. Jones, Wm. Penrose, Wm. Linnard, Wm. Dawson, James Olden, Isaac Price, John Watson, John Inskeep, Timothy Paxson, Joseph East-burn.

William Allen, Health-Officer; William Nesbitt, Clerk of the Health-Office.

The two last mentioned were in this dangerous office in '93 and '97.

A list of the physicians was also published at the same time; but as there was a considerable error in it, I have thought proper to omit inserting it.

The Clerk of the Board of Health has taken the disease.

September 5th.

In consequence of public notice, a number of respectable inhabitants of this city, on the 3d instant, met in Germantown, for the purpose of taking into consideration the distresses of the sick and poor in the city—

GERMANTOWN, September 3d, 1798.

The citizens of Philadelphia at present residing in and near Germantown, being deeply affected at the accumulating distresses of their fellow citizens who remain in the city of Philadelphia, and particularly impressed(from the address of the Board of Health of the 1st instant, and the resolutions of a committee of the Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals and the Guardians of the Poor, dated this day) of the necessity of immediately affording all the relief in their power, convened this afternoon at the Union School-House, for the purpose [Page] of advancing the objects designated in the address and resolutions—

The Hon. Thomas Misslin, Esq. in the Chair, James Gibson, Secretary.

The chairman read to the meeting the address of the Board of Health, as published in the papers—and likewise the resolutions of a committee of the Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, and the Guardians of the Poor.

The chairman then proceeded to mention the extent to which the Board of Managers and the Guardians of the Poor were authorised by law to provide funds for defraying the expenses of these establishments, and information being given by other members of the expenditures and appropriations of these funds already made, which rendered them inadequate to the demands of the present exigency—the meeting came to the following resolutions:

§

Resolved, That a subscription for a loan not exceeding 30,000 dollars, for the assistance and relief of our suffering fellow-citizens be forth with opened.

That Robert Waln, Richard Hill Morris, General Morgan, Isaac Morris, Richard Peters, Robert Smith, Charles Shoemaker, William Rawle, Daniel Smith, Henry Pratt, Charles Biddle, Samuel W. Fisher, George Latimer, John Wall, Robert Hare, William Sansom, Robert Ralston and Wm. Buckley, be a committee to procure subscriptions to the said loan.

That the committee be authorised to borrow of any of the Banks, such sum, not exceeding the sum now agreed to be raised, as it may be necessary to advance for the purposes of these resolutions.

That the committee shall appoint one of their number treasurer, to whom each member shall from time to time pay over his collections, and the treasurer shall, on receipt thereof, deposit the same in the [Page] Bank of Pennsylvania, in an account to be opened for that purpose, and subject to the drafts of the managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, and the Guardians of the Poor, after deducting the amount of any monies advanced on the credit of the fund.

Resolved, That the secretary cause the proceedings of this meeting to be published in one or more of the newspapers of the city of Philadelphia. Adj.

Signed by order of the meeting, THOMAS MIFFLIN, Chairman. Attest, JAMES GIBSON, Secretary.

The market removed to-day to Broad-street, midway between Delaware and Schuylkill.

Three of the printing-presses have already stopped on account of the fever, and most of the printers of books have left the city.

BOSTON, September 7. THE FEVEER.

The selectmen state, that from September 3d to the 5th, there were 3 deaths only. Remained sick, 20, four of whom were on the recovery.

Yesterday we heard of two new cases.

September 6th.

From a paragraph in the United States Gazette of September 6th, it appears that there were 17 persons with fever in Portsmouth(N. H.) on the 27th of August—12 of whom were recovering, and only one had died.

Twenty deaths at New-York yesterday.

September 7th.

The governor of South-Carolina has issued a proclamation, [Page] directing that all vessels from Philadelphia be brought to under the guns of Fort Johnson, and perform quarentine according to law.

Sick at Boston on the 5th, 20—Died since 27th of August—3.

Deaths New-York on the 5, 21—on the 6, 18.

The following paragraph appeared in Mr. Bache's Aurora of to-day:

"The prevailing disease which afflicts this city has already caused the suspension of three of our public newspapers, viz:—Carey's Recorder, the Gazette of the United States, and the True American. In the office of the Philadelphia Gazette, the mortality has been deplorable, though that paper by extraordinary efforts is still published. The office of the American Daily Advertiser, we understand, has been removed to Germantown, some of the people having been seized with the cruel malady yesterday. The Aurora Office has hitherto escaped the afflction—How long it may continue so, remains in the hands of Providence, &c."

September 8th.

The whole number sick at Boston on the 8th inst. amounted to 27—None have died since the 5th.

(Gaz. U. S. of Sept. 13.

From the Philadelphia Gazette of to-day.

Baltimore, September 5th.

To the Citizens of Baltimore.

The alarming and distressed situation of our brethren of the city of Philadelphia, calls loudly for the benevolent assistance of all.

For the purpose of devising ways and means to [Page] relieve and comfort, as far as may be, all such persons as are afflicted by the present sore visitation, a meeting of the citizens of Baltimore is requested at the court-house TO-MORROW MORNING, at nine o'clock.

It is not thought necessary to add further on this sublect, referring to the melancholy and affecting detail, published from the Health-Office at Philadelphia, on the 1st inst. Sept.

September 7. TOWN-MEETING.

In consequence of the notice yesterday given in the Federal Gazette, a number of the respectable inhabitants of this city met at the Court-house, when James Calhoun, mayor, was appointed chairman, and Joseph Townsend, secretary.

The meeting proceeded to take into consideration the distressed circumstance of a number of inhabitants of Philadelphia, occasioned by a malignant disorder raging in that city and suburbs, as being movingly represented by the communication of the Board of Health of that place, on the 1st inst. and being desirous to afford some assistance to alleviate their present awful calamity,

Do unanimously resolve, That a subscription be opened by the members of the City Council in each ward, for the purpose aforesaid, and the money when received, be paid into the hands of the mayor of the city, to be forwarded by him to the Board of Health at Philadelphia.

It is also earnestly recommended, that the City Council aforesaid, proceed to solicit the donations of their fellow-citizens with all possible expedition, and that the inhabitants manifest a liberal disposition on the occasion.

Ordered,

That the foregoing resolution and recommendation [Page] be published in the different newspapers of this city for information.

JOSEPH TOWNSEND, Sec'ry.

September 7.

September 10th.

The sudden illness of the person employed to collect the account of the daily funerals, prevented the returns being published in the Philadelphia Gazette of yesterday and to-day.

The whole number sick at present with the prevailing fever at Boston is 31—Since the last return on the 7th, there have died 5.

(Phila. Gaz. of Sept. 15.)

Deaths at New-York, September 10th—for the last 48 hours—34.

(G. U. S.)

Admitted at Bellevue Hospital from the City of New-York, and from the shipping, from the 8th of July to the 8th of September, 109 patients, of whom there have died within that time, 34.

(Phila. Gaz. of Sept. 11.)

September 11th.

Died this morning, Mr. Benjamin Franklin Bache, printer and proprietor of the Aurora.

Number of deaths for 48 hours, ending yesterday at noon, exclusive of Hospital ground, 42 adults and 22 children—Total 64.

Among the deaths announced in the papers to-day, is that of Mrs. Hamilton, relict of the late Alex. Hamilton, esq.

[Page] The following advertisement appeared in the Philadelphia Gazette of to-day:

NEW ENCAMPMENT.

THE committee who superintend the encampment on Masters' Place, near the Mill Pond, on the Germantown road, about two miles from the city, respectfully inform their country friends, that they stand in need of an immediate supply of vegetables and straw for the use of those distressed citizens who are flying from the present calamity. The committee with confidence flatter themselves that the same liberality will be found in the citizens and others, to supply this encampment, as has been to that on the commons, near Schuylkill, both having the same laudable objects in view.

Committee.

John Inskeep,

Jonathan Robeson,

Isaac W. Morris.

Camp, Masters' Ground, Sept. 10.

The yellow fever prevails at New-London, and is attended with considerable mortality.

(G. U. S.

Albany pronounced to be remarkably healthy.

(G. U. S.)

Deaths at New-York on Sunday the 9th instant, 32—do. on the 10th, 34.

September 12th.

The Board of Health published the following address to the citizens on the 12th instant:

Health-Office, September 11, 1798.

Fellow-Citizens,

OUR address of the 1st inst. was intended to present to your view the deplorable state of our city, [Page] and to excite into active exertion the philanthropy and benevolence so eminently characteristic of the citizens of Pennsylvania. The same generous sentiments which you have displayed has influenced the worthy and benevolent citizens of Baltimore; who, always alive to the feelings of humanity, have, it appears by the public papers, agreed to a subscription for the relief of our distressed fellow-citizens.

We return them all the gratitude and respect to which dispositions so amiable are entitled; but it becomes our duty publicly to state, that a fund has been provided for the purpose, upon the principle of a loan in anticipation of the liberality and justice of our legislature, which precludes the necessity of donations in money from the humane citizens of our sister states. Contributions of provisions from our fellow-citizens in the country, as well in New-Jersey as in our own state, have been forwarded for the use of the distressed, with a liberality which does honor to the donors.

We flatter ourselves that similar donations will be continued by those generous individuals, who are contiguous to the city, and can with convenience spare a part of their produce for the relief of suffering humanity.

By order of the Board of Managers, Wm. JONES, President. Attest, TIMOTY PAXSON, Clerk.

Dr. Harris assured me to-day, that a girl at his house took the fever two days after his servant boy who had been frequently along the wharves and among the vessels, and that a Negro girl that came to his house from Dover, and had been in no house but his after her arrival, was attacked with the disease three days after, while attending on the boy and girl.

[Page] The whole number sick at Boston on the 7th instant were—27.

(Ph. Gaz.)

Mr. Burgess and wife are dead of the malignant fever at their seat on the Germantown road, about two miles from the city. They had not been in the city for several weeks themselves, but two of their men had been in with cattle, and were sick before them. Mrs. Burgess' complaint put on the form of a sarlatina.

September 13th.

Mr. Thomas Pollard, next neighbour to Mr. Burgess, died on the 22d, being the 7th day from attack, which was on the 5th day after his return from Dover. He had lodged at a tavern on the road where a man had lately died.

Doctors Proudfit, Otto and Pheiffer, have recovered from the fever.

Last night, Mr. James Thompson, of the Indian Queen Inn, Fourth-street, yielded to the force of the fever.

The fever is spreading rapidly at New-York, has insinuated itself into the high and healthy parts, remote from the docks and flats.

From the Gazette of the United States of the 13th instant. DIRECTIONS How to escape the Yellow Fever now prevalent in Philadelphia.

Addressed particularly to those citizens whose circumstances will not permit them to comply with [Page] the recommendations of the Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals.

THE fever which at this time prevails in our unfortunate city and suburbs, is the very same in kind as that which prevailed in '93 and '97, occasioned by imported contagion, and was introduced into it for want of efficient health-laws, and the proper regulation of quarantines; as I propose to make appear in a future paper.

This contagion however appears, from numerous observations, and the most authentic facts, to be capable of producing fever, only under particular circumstances: these circumstances, removed or avoided, the contagion becomes inactive and harmless.

This fever had not been observed to exist in Philadelphia for more than thirty years before the year '93—and has never been known to exist in the winter season in this climate; differing in this respect, from those contagious fevers that are bred in jails, hospitals and prison ships; but perfectly resembling the plagues which have been introduced at different times into different maritime towns in Europe from certain parts of Africa, and the Turkish dominions in Europe bordering upon Asia.

The circumstances which render the contagion of the yellow fever active and favor its spreading or becoming epidemic, appear to be, hot, rarified and stagnant, or confined air, more especially when replete and altered in its salutary quality by putrid exhalations from dead vegetable and animal substances. Under the recited circumstances the majority of those who approach very near to, or come in contact with the sick, so as to receive the exhalations emitted by the lungs or skin, become in the course of a few days, most commonly on the fifth or sixth day after such exposure, affected with the same kind of fever, but as all that approach within the same distance [Page] to the sick do not afterwards take the disease though they have received the contagious particles into their bodies, it implies that their constitutions are not disposed to favour its operation, that is, that they are possessed of a power to resist its action or impression, or that the contagion mixing with the fluids in the stomach, or with those in the arteries passes out again, with some of the usual excretions.

The circumstances which, in most cases, appear to give effect to the contagion, so as to produce fever, after it has been received into the circulation through the medium of the stomach, lungs or skin, appear to be such as have the power of inducing sudden and great debility in the several functions of the body, and consequent spasm or constriction of the extreme vessels, &c.

Among the chief of these, may be reckoned, sudden exposure to cold, after great fatigue, or after being greatly heated by exercise and exposure to the scorching rays of the sun.

Intemperance, succeeded by abstinence, frequent blood letting, purging, fasting, and constant terror or dread of the disease, have all a similar effect.—Whereas moderate and refreshing exercise, the temperate use of such nourishing food as has no tendency to stimulate or inflame, and rather to preserve the bowels laxative than otherwise, and the temperate use of diluted fermented liquors, particularly sound bottled porter and claret, have the most salutary effect in preventing the operation of the contagion, and also of rendering the disease milder and more manageable by the physician, when it does attack, than when it occurs in those previously debilitated.

The air in the open streets, I believe, never becomes sufficiently contaminated by the contagious articles (let the patients be ever so numerous in the [Page] houses) to communicate the disease to any person walking in the middle of the street, or even on the pavements, when the wind blows from the opposite side. This is a fact not only confirmed by the observations of the judicious and accurate Dr. Russel, in his account of a pestilential fever at Aleppo, and by all the physicians that have published an account of the disease, as it has appeared in different parts of Europe, but is also established by the events of last year, and by those of '93.

In the year '93, all the prisoners in the jail of Philadelphia, amounting to more than 200; the pensioners in the alms house; and the patients in the Pennsylvania hospital, escaped the disease, owing to the precaution of preventing the admission of any sick or suspicious person, as well as every infected article into those places.

All the families, also, that remained in the city, and confined themselves and their domestics strictly to their own houses, and suffered no sick person, or any one lately recovered from the disorder, or any material from an infected house, to come near them; and employed some trusty person to furnish them with marketing and other necessaries from sources free from infection, escaped the disease without exception. This was also the case with all the farmers that attended the market, that cautiously avoided sleeping at, or going into any of the chambers of the taverns or places where they put up. This could not have been the case if the whole atmosphere of the city had been tainted, or replete with noxious exhalations.

By observing the preceding rules and cautions, therefore, those inhabitants who cannot procure a retreat in the country, may certainly preserve themselves from taking the fever.

These are consolatory facts, drawn from experienced [Page] observers; and they are facts that may be fitly opposed to the popular notions of contagion, so apt to affect the imagination in moments of consternation and dismay.

Before I conclude, I think it proper to add, that I have frequently seen persons, whose office it is to attend the sick, escape the disease in large airy apartments, without observing any precaution at all; but have seldom observed this to be the case in small confined places unfavourable for ventilation, especially where the circumstances of the patient, would not admit of daily changes of the bed and body linen. Cleanliness, daily changes of apparel, and free ventilation appear, therefore, to be essential for preventing the contagious and malignant effects of the fever.

Perhaps if physicians and nurses were studiously to guard against breathing when near the patient, and were never to swallow their saliva; (by which it is probable the contagion is more frequently conveyed into the body than by any other means) were careful to rince their mouths with cold water and vinegar, brandy and water or wine, and frequently to chew some agreeable aromatic substance; were never to approach the sick with an empty stomach, and were to rub half a drachm or a drachm of mercurial ointment upon their limbs every night till it occasioned tenderness of the mouth, it would prevent the contagion from operating, or at least render the disease much more mild and manageable when it did occur.

As opinions require facts, and not names for their support, I shall conceal mine under the signature of

MENTOR.

The editor of the Bee, at New-London, laments the necessity he is under of suspending the publication [Page] his paper, on account of the prevalence of a malignant disorder in that place.

(G. U. S.)

The following interesting remarks were published in the Philadelphia Gazette of the 13th instant:

"WE are apt to magnify whatever respects ourselves. It ought not therefore to be surprizing if the papers of our city were full of remarks on the prevailing fever. The extensive misfortunes that it produces occupying almost exclusively our attention, our subscribers at a distance would not fail to listen with an indulgent ear to our tale of distress, and suffer us to fly to the only solace left us, that of expressing our sorrow. So far, however, have the citizens of Philadelphia been from indulging themselves in fruitless expressions of regret, that our papers contain few animadversions, and no discussions, respecting the disease. They have not omitted to record facts, but every mind has been suffered without prejudice to form its own deductions. This APPARENT apathy has risen not from any real indifference or want of feeling, but from a conviction derived from experience, that in the collision of hostile opinions, humanity is often lost sight of, and an obstinate adherence to error is generated in its room. In the year '93 the medical pen was, in most instances, dipped in gall. The several combatants took their peculiar grounds and disdained, in too many cases, to save the life of a human being by following any other suggestions, than their own. They distracted the public mind, and shook all confidence in medical assistance.

The very reverse of this has been exhibited during the present season. No men have allied together in support of a favourite theory. The pride of opinion has existed but in a limited sphere. The practice of one physician has become assimilated to [Page] that of another; and from the best information those prescriptions appear to be very generally pursued, which are mild, and more congenial to nature than those remedies, if remedies they may be called, which too often only rescue us from the disease to inflict upon us one more fatal.

"These ideas will not, at present, be pursued further. The chief design of these notices is to exhibit the superior malignity of the present disease over that which prevailed in '93. It is computed that in that year 23,000 citizens left the city. They formed probably two-fifths of the inhabitants. This year certainly three-fourths, but more likely five-sixths of the citizens, have departed. Taking the intermediate number, the result will be that twice the proportion of citizens remained in Philadelphia in '93 that do this year. Some allowance, however, is to be made for the increased population. But on the other hand, when the caution of the citizens is considered, and the arrangements that were made to resist its influence this year, the last circumstances will be found to balance the former. Besides it ought to be remembered, that in a place containing a given population, if an epidemic rages, its violence is not checked in the exact ratio of the diminution of the inhabitants, but with much more rapidity. Notwithstanding these circumstances, the disease continues to rear its head, and to threaten mortality this year superior to that in '93."

Twenty-seven persons were sick at Boston on the 12th inst. 10 of whom were on the recovery.

Number of deaths at New-York, for the last 24 hours, ending yesterday afternoon, 44 adults—6 children—total 50, including those at Bellevue Hospital.

[Page]

September 14th.

The contrast (says the Philadelphia Gazette of to-day) between the East and North part of the city of New-York are very striking—in the latter we behold crouded streets—in the former a few solitary individuals, with antiseptics applied to their noses as they pass along. There are, indeed, but few cases of the fever South of the Tontine coffee-house, and not many houses shut.

Number of deaths at New-York on the 11th—32, besides those that died at Bellevue Hospital.

Five persons have died of the fever at New-Port, (R.I.) which they are supposed to have taken in N. York.

Jacob Heiltzheimer, esq. died this morning at his house in Sixth-street.

One of the N. York papers (the Diary) has been suspended on account of the prevailing fever in that city.

ADDRESS.

"☞ THE Committee are happy in having it in their power to inform those citizens who are not in a situation to provide for themselves, and are desirous to remove from the City or Liberties, that they are now prepared to receive from 6 to 700 persons at the encampment, on Masters' place, in the Northern Liberties, where such persons will be furnished with comfortable apartments and necessary provisions during the present calamity."

Several valuable donations were received to-day at the tents.

[Page] The health-office has been kept open night and day at the city hall, and every necessary convenience has been procured by the board for removing the sick and burying the dead.

BOSTON, September 8th.

MEDICAL.

THE great advantage to be derived to mankind, from an inspection of the bodies of such as have died of so formidable an epidemic, as the yellow fever, must be obvious to all. The following cases of dissection may throw some light on the nature of the disease, as it prevails in this town, and may, we hope, be of some use, in investigating the treatment best adapted to the purpose of checking or suppressing its destructive ravages.

The first case was of a man, who died on the 6th day from the seizure, and as no application was made to a physician, till the first stage of the disease had nearly expired, the state of the organs may be considered in a great measure as the natural effect of the disease, undisturbed by art.

In the cavity of the chest, the lungs were remarkably affected—They contained an uncommon quantity of dark blood in their vessels, which rendered them apparently more dense than usual; the vesicles not being distended with air, and their substance consequently less compressible than usual.—The posterior part of both lobes was extremely livid, and in the cavities of the thorax was contained a large portion of extravasated blood, firmly coagulated, to the quantity of eight or ten ounces, as nearly as could be estimated.

The pericadium contained as much as two or three ounces of fluid blood. The heart was of its usual size; but the coronary veins were so distended [Page] with blood, as to exhibit the appearance of a most successful injection. In the cavity of the abdomen, the part most conspicuously morbid was the liver.—This organ appeared to be much inflamed both on its convex and concave surface; its substance was much indurated, and on cutting, resembled in colour, a boiled liver. The gall bladder was contracted to a very small size, and contained not more than a quarter of an ounce of a thick, glutinous, and almost inspissated substance, resembling pith. There were no marks of any considerable quantity of the bile having been lately contained in the sack, and none of the neighbouring parts had the least tinge that denoted its presence. On cutting through the ductus communis choledochus, no bile issued from the aperture; the hepatic duct had also evidently for some time, ceased to transmit its fluid from the liver. The stomach exhibited an enormous distension of its veins, especially round the pylorus, and had every mark of great inflammation. The intestines in general, were in the same state with the stomach; the smaller were considerably distended, and the larger contracted. The spleen was uncommonly turgid, but in other respects in its natural state. The peritonaeum on the under side of the diaphragm, and the pleura on the upper, bore the vestiges of inflammation, but no other parts of those membranes appeared to have been diseased.

The omentum was considerably thickened, and from the turgescence of its blood vessels, of a colour unusually dark. There were no appearances in the thoracic or abdominal viscera of suppuration, nor was any degree of foeter perceived to arise from them; nor was there the least mark of even incipient putrifaction in any part of the body. It may be proper to remark on this case, that in every stage of the disease, the discharges from the bowels, were of [Page] the colour and consistence of water gruel, excepting a few evacuations of a matter similar to what is called the black vomit; and that this usually fatal symptom had also preceded the patient's death on the fourth day of the disease.

The second case. The subject of this dissection was the body of a person, who died on the 12th day of the attack with symptoms of a mixed kind; a remission of the disease had taken place at the period usually critical, upon which, on the 6th day, a delirium ensued, and continued to the moment of fatal termination.

On opening the cranium, the brain was found to have its vessels astonishingly destined with blood, an ounce or two of serum was effused between the dura and pia mater. Under the sagittal future, and by the side of the longitudinal sinus, where the large veins terminate in that cavity, a lymphatic band, about an inch wide, extending nearly the whole length of the sinus, was formed by the coagulable lymph, which had been effused from the blood vessels, by the violence of the preceding inflammation, and this substance had served as a medium of adhesion, between the dura and pia mater in that part.

The lungs adhered very firmly to the pleura on the right side, and appeared posteriorly to have been much inflamed, and in some parts to be indurated in portions of about the size of a pigeon's egg. The left lobe adhered so firmly to the pleura, as not to be separated but by tearing the substance of the lungs, which here appeared extremely diseased, and in a state of actual suppuration throughout its whole substance. The heart was in its natural state. The liver was much enlarged, and in a state that denoted a high degree of inflammation; the convex surface, of the great lobe near the gall bladder exhibiting marks of extravasation, as if violently contused.— [Page] The gall bladder was full of bile, and the ducts pervious.

The stomach was nearly in its natural state, but on the inside, the surface of the villous coat, was besmeared with a matter, which seemed to be of the same nature with the black vomit, tho' nothing of this kind had been ejected in the course of the disease.

The duoderum, was much inflamed for several inches from its commencement at the stomach, and the whole tract of the smaller intestines was in the same state. The urinary bladder was contracted to the size of a pullet's egg, and its inner coat appeared to have been in a high state of inflammation, the vessels having been distended to such a degree, as to have suffered a rupture, and to have effused a quantity of blood into the cavity of this organ.

The state of the lungs in this subject, was probably the consequence, chiefly of a previous disease, independent of that which proved fatal here. An affection of the lungs had sometime existed, whilst the subject was in other respects intolerable health, and in the pursuit of his business; so that a pulmonary consumption would in all probability, have shortly put a period to his life, had the disease of which he died, never overtaken him.

The third case. In this instance the disease terminated fatally on the fourth day.

Upon opening the thorax, the lungs discovered marks of inflammation, anteriorly, and were extremely gorged with blood, in the posterior part of their respective lobes.

The liver exhibited marks of inflammation especially on its concave side, and posterior part; its texture was altered, and of a very dense consistence. The gall bladder was completely obliterated, its coats having coalesced with the contiguous parts so [Page] as to form with them one confused membranous substance. The stomach was externally to appearance in a natural state, but its inner coat was covered with that black coloured fluid, denominated the black vomit.

The color in some parts had been much inflamed, as well as part of the omentum where attached to this intestine.

It is worthy of remark, that in both the cases, where the gall bladder had been diseased, and ceased to perform its functions; or where the liver had been rendered incapable of secreting the bile, the body became yellow, before death; whereas in the other, where the bile was found in due quantity, this circumstance did not occur.

From the above dissections, which evinced a deficiency of secretion in the billary organs, the indications of cure seemed to be directed towards a course, which might obviate the inflammation in general of the organs diseased, and open the excretory ducts of the liver, that the fluid might resume its course into the intestines.

It is with the highest degree of pleasure, that we communicate to the public our hopes that after proper evacuations, the use of calomel may be found to answer these important purposes. This medicine has been accordingly used with much success in fifteen patients within eighteen days, all of whom, excepting one, have recovered; or have past the dangerous period. It has been given not in the usual doses, for the purpose of an evacuant by the intestines, but in small doses of one, two or three grains, every hour or two, so as to produce a salivation as soon as possible; with this view, from one hundred to two hundred and thirty grains of calomel have been given in the course of two or three days, commencing the use of it immediately after the first [Page] copious evacuations by bleeding and purging; and in every instance as the salivation came on, the disease has abated.

Coinciding in sentiment, respecting the use of mercury, so as to produce a salivation, we with pleasure mention the learned doctor Rush, of Philadelphia. But the method is more explicitly and highly recommended by James Clark, M. D. F. R. S. E. in a treatise on the yellow fever, as it appeared in the island of Dominica, in the years, '93, '94, '95, and '96.

The doctor recommends the free use of mercury, both as a remedy and preventative—and says, the officers of the army and navy, who have leisure and can be prevailed upon, on their arrival in the West-Indies, to undergo one or two courses of mercury, taking a few laxative medicines, after confining themselves to a moderate use of wine, and living chiefly on vegetables and fruits for the first two months after their arrival, may rely almost to a certainty, on escaping the fever.

ISAAC RAND.

JOHN WARREN.

September 15th.

Mr. Greenleaf, editor and proprietor of the Argus, died of the prevailing fever on the 13th. inst. at New-York:—

September 16th.

Fenno a patriot, resolved and steady to his trust, whose aim was truth, whose end the public good; is now no more.

The benevolent Price, indefatigable in the cause of humanity, is also numbered with the dead.

[Page]

Health-Office, September 17th. 1798.

The board received, with sincere sorrow, the information of the decease of their worthy and much lamented colleague, ISAAC PRICE, who died of the prevailing fever, on the 15th. inst.—In him society have to deplore the loss of a virtuous and humane citizen, who fell a sacrifice to his indefatigable zeal, in the cause of humanity.

By Order of the Board of Managers, WM. JONES, President. Attest, TIMOTHY PAXSON, Clerk.

September 17th.

The disease has got into the prison for criminals, one is dead, four more are sick.

Application has been made to the Governor, for their removal to the Hospital.

In '93, four of the criminals feigned sickness, were sent to the Hospital, and made their escape in the night.

The Town-Council of New-Port, R. I. has declared, that there has been but eight persons that have had the yellow fever in that town, all of whom took it at New-York, five of whom are since dead; and that there is no other person sick with the disorder in that town, or hospital, or on board any vessel in the harbour. [Phila. Gaz.]

In consequence of the fever having made its appearance in the jail, the vagrant females and untried criminals have been removed to Morris's buildings. The male as well as female convicts, are to remain in the jail. The male convicts amount to about 140—and no precaution has yet been taken to separate the diseased from the sound. The whole [Page] number altogether in the jail, when the fever made its appearance, was about 300, including debtors.

September 18th.

Two physicians began to-day to prescribe for the sick at the encampment on Masters' fields. Some of the people have been attacked with symptoms of the prevailing fever since they came out.

The mayor of Baltimore issued the following proclamation on the 15th, prohibiting the entrance into that city of all persons from New-York, Philadelphia and Wilmington:

State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, ss.

BY JAMES CALHOUN, Mayor of the city of Baltimore.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, to visit the cities of New-York, Philadelphia, and the borough of Wilmington, in the state of Delaware, with a malignant and mortal fever, which excites great apprehensions in the minds of the citizens of Baltimore (who have been blessed with an uncommon degree of health this season) lest daily communication with those places may introduce the said disorder into this city, and makes them desirous that all intercouse, during the present critical period, should be restrained:

I have, therefore, deemed it proper, in conformity with the powers vested in me by law, to issue this proclamation, hereby forbidding the entrance into the city of Baltimore, or within three miles thereof, of all persons whomsoever who have come from the cities of New-York or Philadelphia, or from the borough of Wilmington, in the state of Delaware, and [Page] the citizens of Baltimore from having any communication with them, until they can produce an approved certificate of their absence from those places at least fifteen days previous thereto, excepting only such persons as may come into Baltimore, or within three miles thereof, on or before Tuesday next, the 18th inst. conformably to my proclamation of the 18th day of August, and the carriers of the mail.

This proclamation to remain in full force until public information is given to the contrary, of which all persons concerned are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.

Given under my hand and the Corporate Seal of the city of Baltimore, this 15th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight. (L. S.)

JAMES CALHOUN, Mayor of the city of Baltimore. Attested, R. H. MOALE, Register of the city of Baltimore.

September 15.

Two persons have died in the jail—one of them a criminal, under sentence of imprisonment for 14 years.

September 19th.

All the pasture grounds and upland meadows appeared parched up, and the ground withered and brown, before the rain which fell to-day. The grass-hoppers are very numerous, but musketoes are less so than usual at this season of the year—the number of flies as usual.

Yesterday the criminals in the jail, taking advantage [Page] of the absence of the jailor, made an attempt to break out by force, but were overpowered by the bravery of Robert Wharton, esq. one of the aldermen of the city, and a few assistants. Two of the criminals were killed before the rest surrendered, If these unprincipled wretches had succeeded in their attempt, in all probability the city would have been pillaged and, perhaps, set on fire.

Three men were found dead in a very putrid and offensive condition, yesterday. The following is taken from the Philadelphia Gazette of yesterday:

A man was found dead the day before yesterday in a house in Front near Walnut-street, directly opopsite the Green tree pump. The corpse was first discovered by the very offensive smell which was found to proceed from the house. From the time that has elapsed, since the family left the house, the corpse, it is thought, must have been laying there at least a month—It was in so high a state of putrefaction, when discovered, that it was removed by pieces to the coffin, in which it was deposited!

In addition to the above, a man was found in a house in South Water-street, near Chesnut-street—it is supposed that he had been dead for three weeks—it was discovered by a man having occasion to go into the house for some things which he had left; on opening the door, there was such a stench came out of the house, that he was obliged to retreat.

A negro man entered the house and found the body of a man almost devoured by vermin; information was given at the Health-Office, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon; the people waited till 8 o'clock in the evening and heard nothing from the Health-Office, two black men were hired for sixteen dollars, to take the corps and throw it into the [Page] river. Yesterday morning the corpse was seen floating in the dock.

A man was found dead in a sail-lost, yesterday morning: The people near the sail-lost, say, that he was well Saturday at noon.

It appears by the public prints, that there were, only 5 persons with the yellow fever at Portsmouth, on the 10th inst.

The yellow fever has made its appearance in the debtors jail in New-York.

The papers mention the deaths of several very respectable people in New-York.

September 20th.

A committee was appointed the 12th inst. at Bourdentown, (N. J.) for the purpose of collecting donations for the necessitous and distressed inhabitants of Philadelphia.

The following persons are appointed, by the concurring resolutions of the managers of the board of managers of the Hospitals, and of the Guardians of the Poor, for the purpose of relieving such of their fellow citizens as are not in a situation to remove to the encampment, viz: John Kehr, Peter Miercken, A. Steel, Thomas Allibone, E. Garrigues, Stephen Maxfield, N. A. Smith, Daniel Doughty, Peter Baker, John Hutchinson, W. Stephenson, John James, Thomas Savery, Rhea King, Paschal Hollingsworth, and John Teas.

Zepheniah Webster, printer, his wife and son, all died of the fever in the course of the present week.

A variety of donations have been received every [Page] day, for some time past, at the tents and at the encampment.

I rode through chief part of the city to-day, and observed very few houses, west of Eighth-street, shut up; but scarcely one in an hundred open in any other part, excepting in the northern and southern extremities, where the disease appears now to be extending its ravages.

There was not a case of fever in any part of Southwark before the death of Mr. Russel, which was on the 8th of August, and very few on the 20th of August.

Kensington, where the disease appeared early in August, while the ship Deborah was undergoing repairs there, is nearly deserted.

Nothwithstanding these facts, many persons, whose educations and opportunities of acquiring knowledge one might think would have taught them better, ascribe the rise and progress of the disease solely to the impurity of the air of the city.

September 21st.

The board of managers published in the Philadelphia Gazette of to-day, a statement of comparative facts between the mortality at the City Hospital, and that of the City and Liberties, from the 9th of August to the 19th of September, inclusive, of which the following is an abstract:

Number of cases reported by the physicians, | 2472
Of which have been sent to the Hospital, | 535
There have died at the Hospital | 276
(which is more than half of all sent there) |
Number of patients attended in the City and Liberties, | 1937
Total number of deaths, from Brown's Gazette, | 1700
Number of deaths in the City and Liberties, | 1424

(which is nearly 3-4 of the number attended there.)

What is the obvious deduction from the preceding facts? Remove the sick immediately to the Hospital, and the well to the encampments, and the excessive mortality will of course subside.

(Signed by order of the Board, &c.)

September 21st.

In an advertisement signed by Mr. Saml. Coats, dated the 20th inst. it is mentioned that one of the nurses is now ill of the yellow fever in the hospital, which she is supposed to have caught by going into the city for clothes, about fifteen days since. Excepting the nurse, there has been but one other person sick in the Hospital of the fever this year, viz: a man that was admitted as a lunatic the 25th ult. This man was removed to the City Hospital, and there died in a few days.

On the 17th inst. only 25 persons remained with the malignant fever in Boston. (Phila. Gaz.)

A subscription is opened in Boston and in Providence, for the relief of the sufferers in Philadelphia.

Dr. Elihu. Hubbard Smith, one of the proprietors and conductors of the New-York Medical Repository, died of the yellow fever yesterday the 20th inst. in the 27th year of his age. He died on the 3d day of the disease, the symptoms of which were, in his case, malignant to a degree almost beyond example.

The number of sick at New-London on the 18th inst. were—46.

[Page] Wilmington (Del.) still continues to be ravaged by the fever. 106 deaths, viz. 99 adults and 7 children, have occurred from the 7th of August to the 20th instant, inclusive, 9 persons died within 24 hours, ending last Thursday, the 19th inst. Most of the houses in the lower part of the town are deserted. (Phila. Gaz.)

Similar accounts have been received from the little villages of Chester and Marcus-Hook, on the river Delaware, between Philadelphia and Wilmington.

It appears from a communication from Dr. Davidson to Dr. Mease, published in the Medical Repository of New-York, that the atmosphere of the West India Islands, where the fever is so frequently malignant and mortal, contains a considerably greater proportion of pure air than the atmosphere in any part of Europe. Hence a strong presumption arises, that the disease does not originate from impure air, but is the offspring of specific contagion.

Patroles, in conjunction with the ordinary watchmen, whose number has been doubled, continue to guard the city in the night.

September 24th.

A few of the society of friends met in the city to hold their annual meeting, but immediately adjourned, on account of the fever, till December next.

All the banks are now removed to Germantown. The assistant cashier of the bank of United States, Mr. Kuhl, is now with the disease in Germantown.

P. S. He was salivated and recovered.

Most of the clerks of this bank, are either dead, or have been sick.

[Page] The following hand bill, without date or signature, was published on the 22nd or 24th of September, and distributed among the inhabitants still remaining in the city.

REFLECT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

FELLOW CITZENS, reflect upon your danger before it is too late. One hundred of us are attacked with the fever every day. One half of that number is daily carried to the grave. If we remain in town it is probable that the fever will continue five or six weeks longer, and by that time one half of our number will have been sick, and one fourth of us will be no more.

How different is the situation of our friends in the country and in the tents.

Two thousand persons in the tents have lost but seventeen in twenty-five days, while the same number in Philadelphia have loft one hundred and seventy eight.

At the encampments there is great plenty of good food.

In town it is resolved to give nothing to the poor who are able to go.

WHY DO YOU PREFER FAMINE, SICKNESS AND DEATH, TO HEALTH AND PLENTY?

It is not yet too late to remove.

GO BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

I rode through several parts of the city to-day, and have never seen the streets cleaner and freer from putrid materials or stagnant water, than at present.

September 25th.

No fresh cases of malignant fever in Newport on the 15th instant; and on the 17th only 3. On the 19th there were only 25 persons sick of the fever in Boston.

[Page] The names of the revd. Mr. Hendel, pastor of the German Presbyterian church, and Hillary Baker, esq. mayor of the city of Philadelphia, are on the list of deaths to-day.

The city appears deserted and disconsolate, and the distressed imagination paints the fell messenger of death, waving his sable plume over the affrighted city, and striking with his dread wand the opening tomb.

" Pale shoot the stars across the troubled night,

" The tim'rous moon withholds her conscious light:

" Shrill scream the famish'd cats and panting fowls,

" And loud and long the dog of midnight howls."

The ravages of death increase; medicinal aid is sought in vain:

"In promiscuous clusters, lie the dying and the dead,

"O'er the friendless bier, no rites are read,

"No requiem chaunted, and no pall outspread.

"One common grave receives the lifeless throng,

"While the black horse, in silence, moves along.

September 26th.

The revd. John Dickins, of the Methodist's Society, died to-day▪ and one of the clergymen of the Roman Catholic Church, a few days since.

September 27th.

It appears from the returns of this day, that the late increased coolness of the air has increased the list of new cases.

There are now near one thousand persons in the sheds or board tents, in the encampment in Masters fields, all from the City, Liberties and suburbs.

[Page] On Sunday last the 23d inst. the physicians at the encampment prescribed for 32 patients who had different complaints; of these 32, there were only 14 that had the malignant fever. One of them had been out of the city nine days before he was attacked with the disease, viz. Hutchinson Thompson, a boy ten years of age.

Only four fresh cases of fever have occurred at the encampment since the 23d, though fresh families are daily coming out of the city, and though many of them have been much exposed to the late rains and damp ground. This furnishes a strong argument in favour of those who maintain the opinion, that the prevailing fever is propagated by contagion from the diseased, and not by any depravity or noxious particles diffused through the atmosphere from putrid vegetable or dead animal matter. For these breathed the same air as the rest of the citizens, but none but those that had received the contagion from the diseased, were affected by causes allowed by every one to be powerfully adapted to excite the disease into action.

There were only 35 persons with the fever in Boston the 21st inst. (Phila. Gaz.)

The fever in the jail of Philadelphia has hitherto been confined to the vagrants and criminals; the east wing has been converted into an hospital, and every humane and salutary measure adopted for the convenience and cure of the sick. (Ph. Gaz.)

There were 7 deaths at Wilmington on the 25th inst.

September 28th.

One of the physicians prescribed to-day at the [Page] encampment for 34 patients, one of which is a decided case of yellow fever, and one suspicious.

Nine are on the recovery.

Five have been sent to the City Hospital.

Hutchinson Thompson died on the 7th day of the disease—his corpse of a deep saffron colour.

The sister of John Vandgriff, a child, slept in the same bed with her brother the [...] time of his sickness. The mother also remained in the Hospital with them, and did not take the disease.

Two of Polly Galagher's little sisters slept in the same bed with her three nights while she had the fever. The father and mother also slept in the same tent with her. She died on the 4th day, two hours after admission into the City Hospital.

Ann Dilmore's child was suckled by her in the tent three days when in the fever; was given to another woman to nurse, after the death of its mother.

P. S. Not one of these caught the disease.

"New-London, Sept. 24th.—8 new cases of fever since last report—32 now sick—5 dangerous."

Since the great fall of rain on Friday the 21st instant, the complaints have been greater. (P. G.)

One of the prisoners having died of the fever in the debtors apartment in the new jail, the remainder have been sent to Norristown.

Boston, Sept. 24th.—Since the return on the 21st inst. 11 have died and 56 new cases have occurred [Page] —80 now remain sick, 16 of whom are on the recovery.

Signed, JAMES S. LOVELL, Inspector of Police.

REMARKS, WHICH FOLLOW THE ABOVE.

The above return has excited considerable additional alarm in town and country. It is certainly melancholly: but we desire to praise Heaven, a smart north-easterly storm, which we hope and anticipate, will check the march and dissipate the malignancy of the pestilence, and thoroughly cleanse our atmosphere, yesterday morning commenced its salutary operation, and terminated last evening in a strong north-wester. We expect in a few days to congratulate our friends in the country, on the return of Hygeia to the metropolis; and to invite their return.

In continuing this melancholy detail, we cannot suppress those painful emotions, which naturally arise, when contemplating one of the greatest calamities which ever befel an infant nation. Almost all the seaports of the United States has, more or less, within these few years, been visited with a pestilence which threatens to depopulate many of our fairest towns and villages. To arrest the progress of this destroying angel, has as yet, been attempted in vain. It appears to defy the science, skill, and intrepidity of our most eminent physicians—and to yield to nothing but the frosts of winter. It seriously behoves every well-wisher to his country, to continue to search for the cause of the calamity, and, if possible, to remove it.

September 29th.

Died this morning, Mr. Joseph Anthony, a respectable and distinguished merchant of Philadelphia. He resided in High, near Ninth-street.

[Page] The physicians of the encampment prescribed for 32 patients to-day, not one of whom had any symptom of the yellow fever—but the greatest proportion complained of diarrhoea, catarrh, intermitting fever, or cutaneous eruption.

There are at present at the encampment more than 1300 persons including children.

Mr. Cooper, town clerk of Boston, states that since the return on the 24th to the 26th of September, 20 persons have recovered, 7 have died, 44 new cases have occurred, 97 remaining sick, 20 of whom are on the recovery.

From 26th to 28th, 26 had recovered, 5 died and 12 new cases had occurred, 72 remaining sick, of whom 30 were on the recovery.

Mr. Cooper assures the public, that the above returns are particularly correct.

Dr. Campbell of Woodberry, and Dr. Martin of Chester, both physicians of eminence, are dead of the prevailing disease,

Provision has been amply made for the more indigent and needy, and for all who can submit to take shelter at the encampment, or to request supplies from the guardians of the poor, but the situation of those whose sensibility will not permit them to have recourse to these resources, must be attended with distress that may be better conceived than described.

[Page]

A TABLE, Of the Weather in October.

DAY | THERMOMETER. | WIND | WEATHER.
At 8 A.M. | At 2 P.M. | A.M. P.M.
1 | 48 | 66 | W W | Fair A. M. P. M.
2 | 54 | 68 | SW W | Fair, very light breeze.
3 | 55 | 70 | SW W | Fair, and calm.
4 | 56 | 70 | SE W | Fair, light breeze.
5 | 54 | 66 | NE W | Fair, light breeze.
6 | 56 | 70 | NE W | Fair, cloudy.
7 | 54 | 60 | NE W | Steady rain, cloudy all day.
8 | 52 | 56 | NE NNW | Light rain, cloudy.
9 | 56 | 70 | SE NW | Fair, cloudy, calm.
10 | 56 | 68 | SE NW | Fair.
11 | 54 | 60 | E SE | Cloudy, fair.
12 | 54 | 60 | E NE | Cloudy, fair & very dark.
13 | 48 | 55 | E NE | Cloudy, fair, high wind.
14 | 51 | 55 | NE NE | Cloudy, fair, white frost this morning.
15 | 52 | 60 | W SE | Fair, light breeze.
16 | 52 | 64 | E SE | Fair, calm.
17 | 53 | 68 | E SE | Fair, calm.
18 | 56 | 66 | E NE | Fair, strong breeze.
19 | 50 | 52 | E NE NE | Cloudy, high wind.
20 | 52 | 54 | E NE | Cloudy.
21 | 54 | 66 | NW W | Fair, cloudy, light breeze.
22 | 56 | 66 | SW W | Fog, fair, calm, cloudy evening.
23 | 58 | 54 | SW W NW | Light rain, cloudy, wind high and tempestuous.
24 | 48 | 56 | NW NW | Fair, strong breeze.
25 | 54 | 68 | S SW | Fair, calm.
26 | 54 | 68 | S SW | White frost, fair, breeze.
27 | 56 | 47 | SW W NE | Cloudy, rain, heavy shower for three hours.
28 | 44 | 52 | NW W NE | Flying clouds, heavy, showers for three hours.
29 | 36 | 38 | NW W NE | Fair high wind, ground covered with frost, and the gutters & rain casks with thin ice.
30 | 26 | 32 | NW W NE | Fair, high piercing wind, isicles hang from the rain casks in the city.
31 | 30 | 38 | NW N NE | Flying clouds, high wind ground covered with snow, some of which continued on the North side of the houses all day.

§

§

[Page]

DAILY RETURNS Of the sick, and of the deaths in the City Hospital, and in the City and Liberties, for the month of October.

HOSPITAL REPORTS. | Admit. | Cured. | Deaths. | Rem. in H. | Conval. | Eloped. | TOTAL DEATHS.
From 30st of Septem. to the 1st of October. | 11 | 22 | 15 | 116 | 31 | 0 | Total deaths in Hospital, City, &c. 85.
100 new cases reported for the last 48 hours by 13 Physicians. 1st. to 2d. | 19 | 0 | 9 | 116 | 31 | 0 | 83
39 new cases by 13 Physicians. 2d. to 3d. | 16 | 12 | 3 | 117 | 65 | 0 | 49 including 3 children.
41 new cases by 13 Physicians. 3d. to 4th. | 8 | 0 | 7 | 118 | 65 | 0 | 46 including 3 children.
22 new cases by 13 Physicians. 4th. to 5th. | [...] | 16 | 4 | 101 | 49 | 0 | 36 including 7 children.
25 new cases by 13 Physicians. [Page] From 5th. to 6th. | 9 | 17 | 8 | 85 | 32 | 0 | 38 including 2 children.
18 new cases by 13 Physicians. 6th. to 7th. | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 including 2 children.
7th to 8th. | 2 | 6 | 2 | 85 | 55 | 0 | 29 including 3 children.
48 new cases by 15 Physicians for last 48 hours. 8th to 9th. | 6 | 0 | 3 | 88 | 55 | 0 | 20 including 3 children.
27 new cases by 18 Physicians. 9th. to 10th. | 6 | 14 | 2 | 78 | 41 | 0 | 14 including 1 child.
32 new cases by 15 Physicians. 10th. to 11th. | 7 | 0 | 3 | 82 | 41 | 0 | 43 including 6 children.
47 new cases by 16 Physicians. 11th. to 12th. | 14 | 0 | 8 | 87 | 41 | 0 | 41 including 7 children.
36 new cases by 16 Physicians. [Page] From 12th. to 13th. | 9 | 12 | 2 | 82 | 29 | 0 | 27 41 including 4 children.
23 new cases. 13th. to 14th. | 8 | 0 | [...] | 82 | 29 | 0 | 34
14th. to 15th. | 8 | 0 | 5 | 85 | 45 | 0 | 32
48 new cases. 15th. to 16th. | 7 | 12 | 4 | [...]6 | 33 | 0 | 25 including 1 child.
22 new cases reported by 15 physicians. 16th. to 17th. | 4 | 0 | 4 | 76 | 33 | 0 | 25 including 6 children.
27 new cases. 17th. to 18th. | 4 | 0 | 3 | 77 | 33 | 0 | 34 including 4 children.
18th. to 19th. | 4 | 24 | 5 | 52 | 20 | 0 | 34 including 4 children.
17 new cases by 15 physicians. 19th. to 20th. | 4 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 20 | 0 | 19 including 2 children.
20th. to 21st. | 4 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 20 | 9 | 14
21st. to 22d. | 3 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 20 | 0 | 20 including 4 children.
26 new cases. [Page] From 22d. to 23d. | 1 | 0 | 4 | 40 | 21 | 0 | 22 including 2 children.
16 new cases. 23d. to 24th. | 5 | 14 | 1 | 44 | 21 | 0 | 17 including 3 children.
10 new cases. 24th. to 25th. | 5 | 0 | 1 | 48 | 21 | 0 | 16 inc. 2ch.
25th. to 26th. | 2 | 0 | 1 | 49 | 30 | 0 | 20 including 2 children.
12 new cases. 26th. to 27th. | 3 | 12 | 1 | 39 | 18 | 0 | 20 inc. 4 chil.
25 new cases. 27th. to 28th. | 3 | 0 | 3 | 39 | 18 | 0 | 26
28th. to 29th. | 3 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 11 | 0 | 22 inc. 6 chil.
18 new cases for last 48 hours. 29th. to 30th. | 3 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 11 | 0 | 15 inc. 3 chil.
8 new cases by 16 Ph. 30th. to 31st. | 2 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 14 | 0 | 16
10 new cases. |  |  |  |  |  |  |

A TABLE, Of Deaths in New-York, from the 12th of September to the 1st of October.

DAY. |  | DEATHS.
12 |  | 50 including 6 children.
14 |  | 37
15 |  | 40
16 |  | 50
17 |  | 45
18 |  | 42
19 |  | 40
20 |  | 40
22 |  | 45
23 |  | 46
24 |  | 48
25 |  | 41
26 |  | 60 including 6 children.
27 |  | 54
28 |  | 38
29 |  | 49
30 |  | 43
| TOTAL, | 778

A TABLE, Of Deaths in New-York, in the Months of October and November.

OCTOBER. |  | NOVEMBER.
DAY. | DEATHS. |  | DAY. | DEATHS.
1 | 41 |  | 1 | 15
2 | 36 |  | 2 | 14
3 | 36 |  | 3 | 13
4 | 26 |  | 4 | 12
5 | 0 |  | 5 | 10
6 | 23 |  |  |
7 | 10 |  |  |
8 | 18 |  |  |
9 | 11 |  |  |
10 | 12 |  |  |
11 | 0 |  |  |
12 | 22 |  |  |
13 | 16 |  |  |
14 | 18 |  |  |
15 | 24 |  |  |
16 | 19 |  |  |
17 | 15 |  |  |
18 | 0 |  |  |
19 | 13 |  |  |
20 | 15 |  |  |
21 | 9 |  |  |
22 | 11 |  |  |
23 | 0 |  |  |
24 | 7 |  |  |
25 | 0 |  |  |
26 | 13 |  |  |
27 | 13 |  |  |
28 | 8 |  |  |
29 | 0 |  |  |
30 | 0 |  |  |
31 | 7 |  |  |

§

[Page]

October 1st.

A considerable number of cases of pure intermittents have occurred on the high grounds within two miles of the city; in one family near the encampment on Masters' place, five of the family have had regular paroxisms and intermissions.

Harrisburgh which was much infested with intermitting and remitting fevers, and the dysentry formerly in hot summers, has been remarkably healthy the present summer; owing to the removal of a milldam, which formerly occasioned an extensive tract of ground near the town to be overflowed.

Two of the criminals in the jail, were discovered undermining the wall of the east dungeon yesterday.

The jail is now under the care of Peter Helm, who performed such meritorious services at the hospital in 1793. The former jailor from dread of the fever, had relinquished his charge.

The American Howard, has also taken up his abode in that dreary mansion of the lawless votaries of rapine and disorder, for the purpose of employing means to prevent the disease from spreading there.

Accounts from New-York, state that the late northerly and N. W. breeze has had a favourable effect upon the fever. At Philadelphia the number of new cases are also reduced though as had been predicted, the mortality was greater upon its first coming on.

Several persons from the country who were at the friends yearly meeting, in the city have been attacked with fever since their return home.

October 2nd.

The board of managers have received a draught [Page] on the Bank of United States, for 3,000 dollars for the benefit of the poor of this city, from the mayor of Baltimore, in part of a subscription making by the inhabitants of that place.

The G. of Octo. 2nd.

Seven deaths at Boston on the 27th. last and 79 sick.

All the pasture grounds appear parched up, and all the springs are become remarkably low.

The flats along the Schuylkill, and the creeks that empty into the Delaware, expose more mud to the rays of the sun than usual, and give origin to numerous cases of intermittents, but there has not been an instance of a case of malignant or yellow fever appearing any where in the vicinity of the Schuylkill, as far as I have been able to learn.

"At Marcus-hook, 2 persons from Philadelphia were attacked with the fever, and died soon after; five of the family with whom they resided, were attacked in succession and every one died"

October 3d.

The physicians prescribed to-day at the encampment for 26 persons, with different complaints;—only 3 with yellow fever, and these lately from the city, one of whom was sent to the City Hospital.

Accounts from New-York, state that the death of Dr. Tredwell makes the eleventh physician that has fallen a sacrifice to the prevailing fever in that city.

Extract of a letter from a respectable character in New-York, dated Oct. 1st.

[Page]

"We hope the disorder in our city is abating, from the number of new cases being much less for the four last days, than for some time before, altho' the number of the inhabitants remain nearly the same. The deaths still about 40. The disorder is much among the poor, who are unable to procure suitable nursing. Simple remedies are found most availing. Castor oil and salts, with injections, are all the medicines, excepting lime water and milk, that are given by our most skilful and successful physicians. Herb teas, particularly catmint, are very freely used to occasion perspiration, and where the patient has an attentive and prudent nurse, they generally under this treatment have recovered. Eleven persons have been sick in my house, and excepting one, have all been treated in this way, and all recovered. My sister had calomel, and suffered more than the others, though her attack was much less severe than either of them. I could mention other instances, but this may suffice. This practice is now so generally used, that many instances occur, where the nurses never call for the aid of a physician, and have much success."

October 4th.

Only 19 persons sick to-day at the encampment, viz:—3 with yellow fever—rheumatism 1—catarrh 1—opthalmia 2—intermitting fever 4—dysentery 2—diarrhoea 5—hoemorrhoids 1.

In a letter from Dr. Mitchell of Virginia, addressed to Dr. Franklin, it is asserted, "That blood-letting, upon the first accession of the pain in the head, frequently prevented the disease from forming, especially when an emetic was given immediately after, and a sweat raised by diluting acid drinks."

The disease has visibly declined in the city since the late cold weather.

[Page] Deaths in New-York in the month of August, 133 men, 55 women, and 141 children. Of these, 83 are said to have died of the yellow fever, and 246 of other diseases—Total in August, 392.

Deaths in September, 649 men, 353 women, and 148 children; 956 of the fever, and 194 of other diseases—Total 1150.

October 1st and 2d,—54 men, 19 women, and 4 children; 7 [...] of the fever, and 6 of other diseases—Total, 77.

Total deaths since the 1st of August, 836 men, 427 women, and 293 children; 1110 of the fever, and 446 of other diseases—Total, 1556.

(Porc. Gaz. of Oct. 6.)

The health committee of New-London, in their report of the 25th ult. recommend to the citizens who have moved out, not to return at present, as the number of new cases last week, has exceeded any preceding week.

Twenty-two persons sick at the encampment;—only one of whom had any symptoms resembling the malignant or yellow fever. The complaints are opthalmia 4—remitting fever 1—intermitting fever 6—all with regular cold and hot stages, succeeded by perfect intermissions; some quotidians, and some tertiant.—Spurious pleurisy 2—rheumatism 2—diarrhoea 1—diarrhoea infantum 3—dysentery 2.

Dr. Mitchell of Virginia, in a letter written some years since to Dr. Franklin, asserts, "That the yellow fever has chiefly raged in America in large families, towns, camps or ships, and has been twice brought into Virginia by ships of war;" and adds, "It is remarkably contagious, as appears from the greatest part of a family being affected by it from persons who had taken it in another place.

[Page] "The most effectual remedies were lenient purges and clysters frequently repeated till a copious diarrhoea and bilious stool ensued; with aqueous and bland drinks, and occasional bleedings adapted to the indications expressed by the pulse and pain of head, stomach or intestines. He also assures him, that he found mild purges and clysters much more effectual than any other remedies so long as the pain and tenderness of the stomach, and constant propensity to puke continued, upon receiving any thing into it, without regard to the period or duration of the disease, though the lowless of the pulse seemed to oppose it."

I have seen several cases this year of persons that had the disease in '93 and '97, and have seen several instances of reinsection every time that the disease has appeared in the city since the year '93.

Hannah Norris died at M. Fisher's esq. several weeks after having recovered from the first attack in '93. Dr. Pleasants died under similar circumstances in '97. Mr. Young, Mr. Conoly, Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Lisle, and several others, recovered after a second attack. This year Drs. Cooper, Mease, and Leib, David Parke, Mrs. Mendenhall, and several others, had the disease that had it before. Those cases, however, have been very few in comparison of those that have escaped it, who have once had it.

It appears from Dr. Stark's dissections, that an inflammation of the stomach, however induced, is attended with the same symptoms as the yellow fever; and that what is called the black vomit is owing to a mortification of the vellous coat of the stomach, [Page] and blood which has escaped from the dilated vessels and become putrid.

[See Stark's Clinical and Anatomical Observations.]

It appears from Dr. Crawford's experiments, that the gases or aerial exhalations, extricated from the flesh of animals, by putrefaction, consist of animal hepatic air, i. e. hydrogen holding sulphur in solution, with a small proportion of azotic gas, or air deprived of its ozygene. And the smell of the breath and of the perspirable matter, in malignant fevers, evidently demonstrate that they contain animal hepatic, hydrogenous gas, and not super oxygenated azote, as has been presumed by Dr. S. L. Mitchell, of New-York.

In these fevers a viciated secretion takes place, and the excretions occasion a similar fever when taken into a sound body.

October 6th.

Boston—Since the return on the 28th inst. to 2d of Oct. 24 new cases have occurred, and 27 have died—Sick at present, 58.

Sick at Boston on the 3d inst.—27; at New-London—36.

The Philadelphia Gazette announces the death of four of the public friends that were in town at the yearly meeting.

More than 100 orphans have been sent to the alms-house, in consequence of the fever.

There has been no instance yet of the yellow fever being contagious at the encampment.

[Page] A child was born at the encampment in perfect health, and without any discolouration of the skin, whose mother, Mary Elton, had just recovered from the yellow fever, by which her skin was rendered of a deep saffron colour.

October 9th.

The number of houses open in the city on the 9th instant, from Callowhill street to South street and from the Delaware to 12th street, is stated in the Phil. Gaz. to be 1654.

Owing to a succession of severe frosts, the fever lately prevalent in Boston, is said to have almost entirely disappeared.

(U. S. G.)

It is also stated, that owing to the extraordinary abatement of the fever in New-York, the fugitives are rapidly returning to that city.

Only one person was reported to be sick in Portsmouth (N. H.) on the 5th instant.

October 11th.

HEALTH-OFFICE.

October 11, 1798.

The Board of Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals, felicitate their fellow-citizens on the rapid decline of the prevailing fever since the 1st inst. the prosperous state of the City Hospital, and enlivening prospect of a speedy termination of the calamity, which has overwhelmed our city. None can more assiduously desire the return of their fellow-citizens in safety, to the comforts of their own fire-side; but they depreciate the consequences of precipitation, [Page] where so much caution and prudence is required.

The apprehension of the Board has been awakened by the too hasty return of many individuals, who have inconsiderately hazarded their own health and the public welfare; several of whom, the Board are sorry to add, have been seized with the fever shortly after their return.

The weather, since the 6th inst. has been extremely unfavourable, & the number of the sick have considerably encreased; which would be augmented by the accumulation of persons, particularly those from a pure atmosphere. The Board earnestly solicit public attention to considerations so important; and entreat the forbearance of their fellow-citizens, until returning health shall invite them home.

The Board cannot too strongly impress the propriety and necessity of cleansing and purifying, (previous to the return of the inhabitants), the bedding, cloathing, and houses, in which the disease has existed; for which purpose, they recommend the liberal use of lime. They also repeat their recommendation to the commissioners, to have the pumps frequently and copiously worked, as the water is extremely offensive and unwholesome.

The Board assure their fellow-citizens that whenever the health of the City and Liberties shall be so restored as to admit of the return of the inhabitants with safety, not a moment shall be delayed in announcing the glad tidings.

By order of the Board of Managers. WM. JONES, President. Attest, TIMOTHY PAXON, Clerk.

[Page]

Still of ev'ry hope depriv'd;

Fatigu'd with vain resources, and subdued

With woes resistless and enfeebling fear;

Passive they sink beneath the weighty blow

And naught is seen but ghastly views of death.

The Richmond papers state, that one-sixth part of the usual number of the inhabitants residing at City-point, near Petersburgh, Virginia, have been swept off in the course of about 20 days; that the fatal malady was spread by the ship Nestor, of Portland, Capt. Wait, which vessel arrived at City-point from Philadelphia, on the 24th of August, having thrown four dead hands overboard on her passage. Being without hands to load with tobacco, negroes were called upon, and out of eleven thus employed, ten have died.

Almost every case can be traced to this vessel.

Among the victims in the fever at City-point, are William H. Hanson, Deputy Collector, and Robert Walker Surveyor of that port.

Copy of a letter from Mr. Thomas Lorain, to Mr. John Lorain, Charleston.

Petersburg, August 31st, 1798.

It is probable one of my attendants in the store may soon fall a victim to an inveterate bilious fever. On Sunday he requested of me leave to go down the river to see a ship, (for he had never seen one) and as he was a good fellow, and seldom out, I consented, with a charge of good behaviour. With him went a party of five youths, and having to wait for the flood tide, they did not return till late in the night. The two succeeding days he was well, but on Wednesday was taken with an ague, pains in his joints, eyes inflamed, and vomiting of bile; and after [Page] him, the same day, the captain and all but one were taken sick in the same way. Yesterday the physician bled him twice, and left him at night in extreme danger. This morning he sends for another physician to consult the case.

(Signed) THOMAS LORAIN.

"N. B. The consultation is ended, his medicine operated, and they think him better."

Copy of a letter from Mr. Thomas Lorain, to Mr. Thomas W. Armat, dated

Petersburg, 24th September, 1798.

SIR,

It seems difficult to ascertain the rise and progress of this fatal disease; but the circumstances related are these:

1st. I understand the ship Nestor, in which the suspected infection came, was from Philadelphia or Boston; but what passage she had, I know not.

2d. 'Tis reported that three sailors died on board before she reached City Point.

3d. Before my youth went on board, a negro ashore advised him not to go there, for people had died in that ship of the fever; and when the captain came ashore with the boat for them, he refused going; but the captain seriously avered that the negro was angry with him, and reported this maliciously to the young men, who at length consented to go.

4th. The ship had nothing in but dirt balast from the town she left, and it being Sunday, all or chief part of the hands were ashore. The day before, they had pumped out of her several gallons of fetid bilge water, the scent of which even then remained unpleasant, for it had been in her some weeks.—Most of the hands who pumped it sickened and died, as did several of those who helped to land the ballast.

[Page] 5th. Since the youths left the ship, several persons in that neighbourhood have died of the like fever, and Dr. Walker, who visited them while a black vomiting was on some of them, is now very sick in the house opposite us, but I hope is recovering.

6th. The youths left the ship at 6 o'clock P. M. and from getting aground frequently did not return home before midnight. In the day they were exposed to an hot sun, and at night to an heavy dew.

7th. On the Tuesday of that same week, at 12 o'clock, my lad was taken with an ague, and before night every one of the party that went in the vessel had an high fever, but two of the negroes who went to row and avoided the ship, escaped the fever.—Many are willing to attribute the disease to the affects of the sun and dew, and say these negroes kept up perspiration by rowing home, while the whites lay exposed to the cool dew in an open boat. My youth was bled on Wednesday morning, but his veins were so small and low, that Dr. Shore could not let as much blood as he wished, (only a tea cup full) for they approve of copious bleeding. His complaint was a deadly sickness at the stomach, with pains in every limb, attended with frequent vomiting of yellow bile. During his disorder he took a quantity of pills which operated well; injections were administered; each temple cup'd; stomach and legs blistered; and the last medicine given was, I believe, an emetic powder. On Saturday he was very restless, and at night a delirium and stupor came on; thus he remained till Sunday, when the above emetic was given, soon after which he made some efforts to vomit, but did not; his eyes began to vibrate exceedingly, and with much oppression at his breast, he expired. His corps was not more yellow [Page] than usual; four persons were interred when he was, carried off by fevers, I believe.

The captain (Wilson) of the ship Delight, which lay near the Nestor, and with whom the youths dined, did not live so long as my lad; but he was a very intemperate man, even in his sickness, and had been on Monday exposed to wet and the heat of the sun. He died in town, distracted with the fever and liquor he drank when he came up.—The eyes of every one were remarkably glassy, inflamed, but not red as is generally represented.

This summer I went to the tin factory opposite us, to get some tin which they kept in a back house; the yard was so excessive filthy, I asked them if they were hatching the yellow fever? they hoped not; but every creature of them have had a fever like the above; some had it before the shipping came; and several about this town have the like fever, but are chiefly on the recovery. One Mr. Cooper, an English merchant at Blandford, (in this town) died yesterday morning; and I suppose there are four or five in town sick of the same disease. Our family physician is just recovering; his head was blistered, and he was delirious several days. One of the tinners told me he suffered more with it in one day, than with all the pain and sickness of his whole life, (which was 30 years) and could get no relief till the doctor allowed him to drink cold water in small draughts at a time. This enabled him to keep his medicine down, which he could not do before. Our physicians think the disease originates from the sun, heat, dew, filth, &c.—probably it does, for no one caught it of my young man; and had it been the small-pox, I dare say they would have felt the affects of it. Every dose of medicine I gave him with my own hand, that he might have a fair chance. I used no preventative, but burnt tar frequently in the [Page] house and sprinkled it fore and aft with vinegar, keeping every window open day and night. Since writing the above, I understand that two of the Richmond craft, that had been employed at one of these ships, lost almost every hand on board; one of them had only a boy left. We have cool nights now, but the middle of the day is very warm and dry. When our family physician (Dr. Shore) recovers, you shall know more of this fever. I have been much confined at home; and as City Point is 12 miles off, and several ships have been there, I cannot get a satisfactory account of it. I believe several died in one of the ships at the Cape, but the captain endeavoured to conceal it, that it might not prevent his getting hands. Your friend and servant.

THOMAS LORAIN.

October 12th.

A number of the poor are now employed at the canal, the design of which is to convey the water of Schuylkill to the city, &c.

The ship Pigou, bound to India, has returned to port, on account of the sickness among the crew, which attacked them soon after her departure. It is reported (but for this I cannot vouch) that on her way out, she left a man with the fever at Port Penn. The inhabitants put him in the woods under a tent. where he perished for want of assistance.

Twenty-two persons sick in New-London on the 9th inst.

On Friday, the 5th inst. died at Germantown, of the prevailing fever, in the 19th year of his age, Mr. John Nicholls, son of Wm. Nicholls, esq. marshall of the district of Pennsylvania. Mr. Nicholls had [Page] been ill of the fever some weeks before, in the city, where he was attended by his young friend, Mr. Hillegas. He had just removed to Germantown, in a state of convalescence. When his friend was attacked with the disease, gratitude and affection induced him to return the same friendly and humane office to his suffering friend and benefactor. He saw his friend expire, closed his eyes, drew in the poison with his grief, and in a few days after, expired himself.

October 15th.

Several of the criminals in the east-wing of the jail, undermined the wall and made their escape in the night of the 13th inst.

The following account, delivered me in writing this morning, by C. Marshall, jun. who resided in the neighbourhood, where the facts occurred, (and collected at my request) incontrovertibly proves, that the yellow fever is not contagious in the air of cities only, but is sometimes contagious in situations that are noted for salubrity:

Elizabeth Johnson, about 10 years of age, came from Philadelphia to her mother's (the widow Johnson) the [...]th of August; was taken ill with the fever on the 10th, and died on the 13th.—Elizabeth Duy, a near neighbour who had been several times to visit E. Johnson, was attacked in a similar manner on the 26th of August, and died on the 30th.—Mary Hubbs, a near neighbour to E. Duy, and visited her in her sickness, was taken with fever on the 29th of August, and died the 3d of September.—Charles, son of Mary Hubbs, was taken with the fever the same day, with his mother, and recovered in the course of a week.—Christ. Duy, husband of Elizabeth, was taken ill on the 16th of September, and [Page] died on the 23d.—Elizabeth Johnson, mother to the first mentioned Elizabeth, was taken ill the 21st of September, and died on the 29th.—Joseph Fisher and his wife had an apartment at Christ. Duy's. Joseph Fisher's wife took sick soon after the death of C. Duy, and recovered.—Joseph Fisher was taken ill on the 22d of September, and died on the 27th.—The widow Johnson's servant maid was taken ill about the same time with E. Johnson, and recovered in 8 days. Elizabeth Star, who lived in Mrs. Johnson's family, was taken ill on the 27th of September, and died on the 14th of October, though she had been freely salivated. None of the above had been in the city for several weeks.

October 16th.

Thirty-six patients sick at the encampment today—most part with light complaints, such as catarrh and diarrhoea. Only two new cases of malignant fever have occurred at the encampment for some days. One of these has been ill eleven days—had the black vomit ever since the 7th, from the attack—is at this instant with scarcely any appearance of life. This woman, whose name is Makittrick, was attacked five days after a visit to the city—Takes lime water and fresh milk. Peter Tryon, the other case of the yellow fever, was attacked the day after he came to the encampment—this his 3d day.

From comparing the effects of mercury, in different cases, it appears to me, now, to be proper to excite salivation in every case where malignant symptoms are evident at an early period of the fever; but that it is superfluous, if not injurious, to induce salivation in cases where inflammatory symptoms are predominant, till these are induced by sufficient [Page] blood-letting and purging, which in the majority of cases so circumstanced, cure the disease without the aid of any additional remedy. The yellow fever corresponds in this respect with the variolous fever, or small-pox. In those cases where the eruption appears with a confluent aspect, accompanied with great debility, oppression, and uneasiness about the region of the heart, mercury has been long recommended by several eminent physicians as a more effectual remedy than any other, when restrained by the addition of opium, from occasioning frequent evacuations by the bowels. But I believe no one can deem it necessary to employ so violent a remedy in the distinct and simple form of the disease, when more safe ones will answer as well.

It was the general practice last year, as well as the present, to give mercury in all cases indiscriminately, which was certainly injudicious, and in many cases retarded the cure, especially in cases accompanied with inflammatory symptoms; but in cases where nervous symptoms predominated from the beginning, & unaccompanied with severe pain in the head, eyes, or stomach, or with symptoms of dysentery or gravel, calomel was found more successful when given in doses of two grains every two hours, and the application of two or three drachms of strong mercurial ointment to the region of the liver and to different parts of the body four times in the course of every 24 hours, restraining the mercury by the addition of a few drops of laudanum, occasionally, if it occasioned more than one or two evacuations in the course of the day, till signs of salivation appeared, and no longer; the patient, at the same time, abstaining from all flesh meats and vinous liquors. The early and repeated application of blisters, in such cases, were generally beneficial; but blood-letting did injury.

[Page]

October 18th.

From the Philadelphia Gazette of this date. A DESCRIPTION Of the ENCAMPMENT at Masters' place.

THE encampment at Masters' place is an immense work, considering the short period in which it was executed. Buildings comfortable, convenient, and in every respect well adapted to the occasion, have been erected in eight or nine days, sufficient to accommodate 2000 people. Besides those buildings, there were erected, in the same time, an hospital, a large store-house and offices, a bake-house and oven, and five kitchens, each with eight large fire places. This little town is built on a well chosen spot, and is laid out in regular order the streets intersecting each other. The rules and regulations, which are printed and put up in different parts of the encampment, do honour to the heads and hearts of the committee. The entire prohibition of spiritous liquors, except in cases of real necessity, is a striking feature in those excellent rules; in short, they have established a systematical police.—They punish slight offences by withholding the provisions for a reasonable time, and for those more aggravated, they expel the offender. All intercourse with the city is cut off (except on special occasions) which is enforced by placing sentinels at proper distances around the encampment, who do not permit any person to pass or repass, by night or day, without leave from one of the committee or steward. Scavengers are also appointed, whose duty it is every morning to remove all the filth and to throw fresh earth into the necessaries. The people are compelled to expose their bedding to the sun and air at least three times a week, and to wash their cloathing frequently.

[Page] The most scrupulous regard to justice is observed in the distribution of the provisions, which are of an excellent quality, and served out in abundance.—The strict decorum that has been so eminently maintained in the encampment, amongst characters too, some of whom are no doubt very abandoned, demonstrate the most assiduous attention in the committee as well as superior address.

Official accounts state, that the fever has so far subsided at Boston, as to render it perfectly safe for the inhabitants to return, and prosecute their business as usual.

(P. G.)

A letter to the Editor of the Chro. from Phila. mentions, "that in that city and New-York, 21 printers have fallen vactims to the terrible calamity which has desolated those places. To what cause to attribute this uncommon mortality, puzzles many—but in my opinion," adds our correspondent, "it has arisen from so large a number deeming it their duty to be found at their posts: while most other professions fled. I know nothing peculiarly attractive of disease in the materials used in printing-offices—but as nothing but flight can save, if it appears at another season, I shall consider it a bounden duty to avoid it."

(Boston Chronicle.)

October 19th.

A comedy was performed on the 5th inst. by Hodgkinson's company, at the theatre Providence, Rhode-Island, for the relief of the sufferers by the fever.

Ph. Gaz. of 18th inst.

The most liberal donations are daily presented to the managers of the tents and the encampments, for the relief of the suffering poor.

[Page]

October 20th.

On the list of deaths for the 17th inst. is the name of Mrs. Sarah Swartz, in the 99th year of her age.

October 21st.

A sailor at Marcus-Hook, I am credibly informed, was restored to life when to all appearance dead, by pouring strong grog into his mouth. He afterwards perfectly recovered.

About 50 persons from different parts of the country, attended the Friends yearly meeting on the 22nd of September, of these, 17 were soon after attacked with fever, the majority within five days after leaving the city, where some of them had remained only one and others two nights; and of the 17 attacked with fever, 12 died. Among those that died was Warner Mifflin, an influential and much lamented member of that society.

Warner Mifflin was not taken ill till the 16th day after he left the city.—Joseph Turner, from the head of Chester, who had been in the city only four hours, died soon after his return home.

Fifteen sick at the encampment to-day, chiefly with catarrh, diarrhoea, intermitting fever, and cutaneous eruptions.

There is not a case of malignant or yellow fever to-day in the encampment.

Mrs. Makittrick died on the 19th, being the 14th day from the attack*.

Tryon also died on the 20th, being the 7th, from the attack. His wife not only attended in his illness [Page] but, in opposition to the most earnest remonstrances, slept in the same bed with him in the hospital.

October 22d.

If I am not unaccountably deceived, the present prevailing fever, in many respects, bears a great resemblance to the small-pox. They are both more malignant in some constitutions than others; they are both less fatal to children and the generality of women than to men. They are both more fatal to men addicted to intemperate and voluptuous living; the gross and the corpulent, than to temperate livers, who are engaged in active occupations.

Hence like small pox, the preparation requisite to render the disease mild and safe, must vary with the temperament and constitution of each individual.

Where the inflammatory diathesis predominates, which is commonly the case in children from two to twelve years of age, and to young persons accustomed to activity in the open air, mercury is not a proper preparative; but in all cases where the want of vigour is manifest, and a disposition to diseases of debility, or the nervous type, are evident, mercury, and in such manner as not to evacuate much, in all probability must be among the first preparatives to be found in the Materia Medica. In the cure, I am certain it can only be employed with safety and with efficacy, in cases where the inflammatory diathesis, is not considerable; or in cases of nervous and septic tendency,

The incautious and too copious employment of mercury has in several instances been followed by the most deplorable effects. In some cases it has occasioned not only the loss of teeth, but of part of the jaw bone. In some, a rigid contraction of the lower jaw—a gangrene of, and consequent loss [Page] of part of one of the cheeks—the tonsils and palate—loss of speech, &c. The sphacelus and consequent erosions in some cases have been followed by profuse discharges of blood, which have put a speedy period to the patient's life. These facts are mentioned to put less experienced physicians upon their guard, and to prevent them from acting like the Hungarian physicians, mentioned by Kramer and Lind, who, because they had seen beneficial effects from mercury in syphilitic ulcers, could not be persuaded that it would not have a similar affect in cases of scurvy, but gave it to 400 patients and killed them to a man.

October 23d.
From the Columbia Centinel. PHILADELPHIA: AN ELEGY.

IMPERIAL daughter of the West,

Why thus in widowed weeds recline?

With every gift of nature blest,

The empire of a World was thine.

Late brighter than the star that beams

When the soft morning carol flows,

Now mournful as the maniac's dreams,

When melancholy veils his woes.

What foe with more than hostile ire

Has thin'd thy city's thronging way!

Bid the sweet breath of youth expire,

And manhood's powerful pulse decay?

No Gothic foe's ferocious band,

Fearful as fate, as death severe;

[Page] But the destroying angel's hand,

With hotter rage, with fiercer fear.

I saw thee in thy prime of days,

In glory rich, in beauty fair;

When MORRIS, partner of thy praise,

Sustain'd thee with a patron's care.

Have hail'd that hospitable dome,

Where all the cultur'd virtues grew;

Fortune and fashion's graceful home,

Warm hearted love, and friendship true.

Columbia's genius veil thy brow,

Guardian of freedom, hither bend—

The prayer of mercy meets thee now—

With healing energy descend.

Chase the hot fiend whose fervid tread,

Consumes the fairest flower that blows;

Bends the sweet lily's bashful head,

And fades the blushes of the rose.

E'en now, his omen'd birds of prey,

Through the unpeopling mansions rove;

Drench'd is that eye's inspiring ray,

And lost that breezy lip of love.

Yet guard the Friend, who wand'ring near

Haunts which the loitering Schuylkill laves,

Bestows the tributary tear,

Or fans with sighs the drowsy waves.

And while his mercy-dealing hand

Feeds many a famish'd child of care;

Wave round his brow thy saving wand,

And breathe thy sweetness through the air.

Till borne on health's elastic wing,

Aloft the rapid whirlwind flies;

The coldest gale of Z [...]mbla bring,

And brace with frost the dripping skies.

[Page]

Where shelving to the heated coast,

Along the dusky pile * ascends;

Some new ALCIDES—freedom's boast—

His heaven-assisted arm extends.

Beneath his firm-collected blow,

Despoiled, the crashing ruin lies—

The Dryads bring the leaffy bough,

And bid their green plantations rise.

The shapely poplar's tapering form,

The oak its building branches rears;

The elm that braves the cleaving storm,

The fragrant pine's prolific tears.

Each leaf expands its fanning shade,

Beneath whose breeze contagion dies,

The whispering youth and listening maid

Gaze grateful with enchanted eyes.

HE, who the lov'd Asyum gave,

E'en thus, the immortal Founder said—

Low wafted from the heaving grave,

Ah! heed the mandate of the dead.

Yet bid the Neriads bring their urns,

Haste! and the marble fount unclose;

Through streets where Syrian summers burns,

'Till all the cool libation flows.

Cool as the brook that bathes the heath

When noon unfolds his silent hours—

Refreshing as the morning's breath

Adown the cleansing streamlet pours.

From waves the heavenly Venus grew;

Those waves to mortal beauty kind,

The flush of fragrant health renew,

And brace the nerve-enfeebled mind.

[Page]

IMPERIAL DAUGHTER OF THE WEST;

No rival wins thy wreathe away;

In all the wealth of nature drest,

Again thy sovereign charms display.

See all thy setting glories rise—

Again thy thronging streets appear;

Thy mart an hundred ports supplies;

Thy harvests feed the circling year.

COLUMBIA.

October 24th.

The committee who superintend the tents on the banks of Schuylkill, request their female doners will not furnish them with any more clothing for infants under two years of age, "as their industry and liberality has already enabled them to clothe the naked, to save the shivering child from perishing, and to send the infant warm and the mother happy away."

Twenty-one sick persons to-day at the encampment—where there are at this time, 1800 people, including the convalescents lately received from the City Hospital, viz: Men, 340; women, 564;—children, 896, including 221 infants at the breast.

October 26th.

Several persons that have already returned to the city, have taken the fever.

Total number of deaths in Wilmington from August 7th to October 26th, inclusive, adults, 218—children, 22—Total, 240.

Borough Hospital report, from August 13th to October 26th, inclusive—Admitted 88—died 41—eloped 3—discharged, cured, 37—remaining in hospital 7.

[Page] Wm. Jackson, who came into the city to the Friend's yearly meeting on the 22d of September, and left it on Monday morning the 24th, was attacked with fever on Wednesday the 26th.—Hannah Lindcy, from the same neighbourhood, who came to and left the city at the same time with William Jackson, was attacked on Friday the 28th.—The daughter of Robert Kirkbride, of Bucks county, took the fever from her father and died.

Notes

*

Lime water was given in small and repeated doses mixed wite milk of lipid warmth, to Mrs. M'Kittrick, without producing any sensible effect, either on the colour of the black matter, or in restraining the vomiting.

↵

*

Water-street, intended by the founder of the city to have been planted with trees. The fever has always made its full appearance in this spots

↵

§

§

State of the Weather from 1st to 12th of November.

Snowed all day, and was disagreeably cold the 1st of November, and continued cold and frosty till the the 6th. From this time to the 12th the days were more mild, but the nights still continued frosty.

Occurrences. &c. in November.

Table of the number of sick, and of the deaths, from the 1st to the 12th November.

Number of patients admitted into the City Hospital after the 30th of October.

Five deaths in the hospital, from the 31st of October, to 3d of November.

At the same time, 22 persons remained in the hospital, sixteen of whom were on the recovery.

The total number of deaths published in the Philadelphia Gazette, from the 1st, to the 6th November, inclusive—63.

November 2d.

In consequence of the late favourable state of the weather, the Managers of the Marine and City Hospitals thought it unnecessary to continue their official reports any longer, and published the following address to the citizens:

[Page] [In communicating the following, to the Public, we experience emotions which the recollection of our late distressed situation, of those desolating scenes to which we have been familiarized by experience, will not permit us to express. We shall therefore join in the general and spontaneous effusions of gratitude on the occasion—and add, that in consequence of the favourable reports from the physicians, the Board of Health do not think it necessary to continue their official reports from this date—and that similar motives have induced the committee to close the City Hospital.]

Health-Office, November 1st, 1798.

Fellow-Citizens,

THE period so ardently desired by us all, has at length arrived. Our best information and judgment corroborated by the opinion of the physicians, we believe warrants us in announcing to you, the restoration of general health to our afflicted City and Liberties; and that the citizens may return with safety, if proper precautions are taken in cleansing and airing the houses, bedding, and clothing; correcting the exhalations from the privies by the plentiful use of lime, and working copiously the private as well as public pumps.

In the termination of a painful duty we cannot repress our sentiments of respectful veneration for the unexampled benevolence and charity which you have displayed—the suffering sick, the widow and the fatherless have been cherished; and hundreds of grateful fellow creatures have been wrested from the grasp of disease and death, by your bounty. These virtues are a certain pledge that the objects which you have safely conducted through the tempest of [Page] disease, will not be abandoned to the miseries of an inclement winter.

By order of the Board of Managers, Wm. JONES, President. Attest, TIMOTHY PAXSON, Clerk.

Deaths in New-York from August 1st to November 1st—Men 1077—women 561—children 360—from the 1st to the 9th, 60, exclusive of those that have died in the country soon after leaving the city.—Total 2058.

The malignant fever did not make its appearance in New-York for some time after it had made considerable progress in Philadelphia.

November 3d.

It is stated in one of the New-York papers of yesterday, that the late extraordinary change in the temperature of the air, which has been extremely cold for the season, since Sunday evening the 28th ult. and the fall of snow all yesterday afternoon, the fever which has made such dreadful havoc during the last ten weeks, appears now to have made its final exit. The fugitives may therefore return to the city without any danger.

Greatest part of the people have moved in from the encampment of Masters' fields; and all the roads leading to the city are thronged with the returning citizens, who had taken refuge from the fever in the country.

Those in the tents on Schuylkill will return in a few days.

[Page]

BILL OF MORTALITY,

Collected for the Philadelphia Gazette, from the 1st of August to the 3d of November, inclusive.

From the 1st to the 31st of August, inclusive.

In the Burial Grounds of the City and Liberties—Adults 123—children 136—Total 359.

In the Burial Ground of the City Hospital—From the City Hospital 112—City and Suburbs 152—Total 264—Total in August—623.

BILL OF MORTALITY,

From the 1st to the 30th of September, inclusive.

In the City Burial Grounds, &c.—Adults 729—children 211—Total—940.

In City Hospital Ground—From the Hospital 275—City and Suburbs 616—Total 891—Total in September,—1831.

BILL OF MORTALITY,

From the 1st to the 31st of October, inclusive.

In the City Burial Grounds, &c.—Adults 393—children 111—Total 504.

In the City Hospital Ground—From City Hospital 126—City and Suburbs 312—Total 438—Total in October—942.

BILL OF MORTALITY,

From the 1st to the 3d of November, inclusive.

In the City Burial Grounds, &c.—Adults 22—children 3—Total 25.

In the City Hospital Ground—From the Hospital 5—City and Suburbs 20—Total 25—Total from the 1st to the 3d of November, inclusive—50.

[Page] Whole number of deaths from the 1st of August to the 3d of November, inclusive,—3446—exclusive of citizens who died in the country, which may be computed to amount to 300 at least.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

Between the year 1793, and the present year.

1793. |  | 1798. |
Deaths in August, | 325. | Deaths in August, | 623.
in Sept. | 1442. | in Sept. | 1831.
in Oct. | 1093. | in Oct. | 942.
Nov. 1st to 9th, | 118. | Nov. 1st to 3d, | 50.
Number omitted in different grounds | 164. |  |
Total, | 4041. | Total, | 3446.*

Total deaths in New-York, from the 25th of August to November 3d—2058.

Total deaths in Philadelphia from August 1st to November 3d—3446.

Do. in Chester—50.

Do. in Marcus-Hook—52.

Do. in Wilmington—252.

Do at Chew's Landing, N. J.—26.

November 15th.

The disease, which began to languish upon the first frosty weather, is now entirely extinguished.—Sociability resumes its usual course; the streets, late desolate and forlorn, are thronged with the face of business and of enterprise—The stores, so long closed in gloomy silence, once more display their inviting goods, and every street resounds with the cheerful voice of industry.—Agriculture, with his loaded teems, renews his welcome visits—Numerous masts [Page] again rise in our ports like stately forests—Even rough drudgery, as he hews the ponderous stone, or at the car he toils looks gay—The wharves, also, once more groan beneath the ponderous load of merchandize, and echo the shouts of sailors as they resign the spreading canvass to the gale and wave their last adieu.

Notes

*

If to the above we add 60, which have died since the 3d together with the number which have died in different parts of the country it will be evident that the mortality was comparatively much greater this year than in 1793: for in the year last mentioned, not more than a third part of the inhabitants left the city; whereas this year 3-4th at least left it.

↵

§

§

HAVING in the preceding Memoirs, noted the rise, progress, and fatal effects of the fever, lately prevalent in this city, and other parts of this country, (the contagious nature of which is acknowledged by all, excepting a few persons that are distinguished for nothing but the singularity of their opinions, and a pertinacious adherence to a tenet, which both by the illustrations of reasoning and the common sense of their fellow citizens, has been declared absurd and utenable.) I shall now proceed to state such evidence as has come to my knowledge, respecting the origin of the disease, the certainty of which is of the highest importance to the future interest and prosperity of this country in general, and to Philadelphia in particular.

Certain circumstances having given rise to a suspicion that the contagion which gave origin to the disease was imported in the ship Deborah, which arrived at Philadelphia, from Jeremie, and anchored near Race street wharf, on the 18th of July. I made every enquiry in my power into the subject with a view of ascertaining the truth.

The death of the Marquis de Rouvray, immediately after her arrival—of a boy that belonged to her a few days after,—of a labouring man that had worked on board her—and of Alexander Philips, who had been down to her in a boat, while she was performing quarantine, and who died on the 5th of August.—The sickness of a carpenter on the 26th of [Page] July at Achison Thompson's next door to Philips's, who had been on board the Deborah while unshipping her cargo,—the sudden death of a sailor in the same house on the 28th of July, and, the numerous cases in the neighbourhood of Philip's and Thompson's a few days after, not only increased, but directed the suspicions of all that were acquainted with these circumstances, to the ship Deborah.

It appears from facts collected by Dr. Daniel De Beneville, and communicated in writing to Dr. Griffitts, that the first person that had the yellow fever in Kensington, (to which place the Deborah had removed for the purpose of undergoing repairs on the 28th. of July), was a lad of the name of Joseph Streeton, that had been on board of her while she lay in the city—This lad was taken sick on the 29th, of July and died the 3d of August.

James Porter, apprentice to Joseph Grice, ship carpenter, next door to Streeton's, was taken with the fever on the 1st. of August, and died on the twelfth.

James Ashmore, an apprentice to Wm. Yard, ship carpenter, who had worked on board the Deborah, while she lay in the city was attacked with the fever, on the 2d. of August, and died on the fifteenth.

James Kerr, George Adams, and one Simons, all apprentices to Wm. Yard, worked on board the Deborah, and were all taken sick a few days after James Ashmore, and all recovered.

Two labouring men, who worked on board the Deborah, were taken sick on the 3d. of August, one died, the other recovered. Samuel Baker, Dr. De Beneville, his wife and house keeper, who resided near the wharf where the Deborah lay, were all attacked with the fever, in the course of a week after her arrival at Kensington; and before the middle of August the whole neighbourhood was infected.

[Page] That the Deborah was an infected vessel, appears evident, from the testimony of her mate, Mr. John Lewis, the carpenter that was with her, during the whole voyage, the cook, several seamen, and a passenger of the name of Dickison—all of whom agree, that she lost seven persons with a fever, on her passage from Jeremie, to Philadelphia, and five of her crew, while in the port of Jeremie.—Mr. Lewis the mate of the Deborah, informed me in presence of two witnesses that the Deborah had been employed as a transport for the British troops at St. Domingo, for some time previous to her taking in her cargo, at Jeremie.

Dr. Wistar, was informed by the cooper; of the deaths on board, and the carpenter, John Bodin's deposition was taken by the mayor of Burlington.

Captain Yard, himself sometime after his arrival in Philadelphia, in conversation with a gentleman whose testimony may be relied on, acknowledged that while the Deborah lay at Jeremie, a very mortal disease was prevalent there, which the natives called the Malad, de Siam, of which the captain, and the chief part of the crew of an English ship from Liverpool, died, and the rest were so terrified that they deserted the ship.

When the Deborah arrived at the Health-Office near the fort, with about an hundred persons on board including passengers,—two of the seamen who appeared to be in a convalescent state, were taken to the Marine Hospital, and a black woman.

These men Mr. Lewis says, were in the city before the ship.

Atchison Thompson and Mr. Doyle, neighbours to Philips when he was alive, solemnly declare that Philips brought a man belonging to the Deborah to his house, before the arrival of the ship.*

[Page] The size and martial appearance of the Deborah, (for she carried several guns) led a number of young men and boys to visit her; among, others, was a lad of the name of James Wright, and a young man belonging to Mr. Clemens. The former lived in Water above Chesnut street, the latter in Third near Walnut street, one of these was attacked the 30th, the other the 31st of July. The latter died on the 6th day from the attack, the former recovered.

As the disease appeared about this time in different parts of the city, which had been uncommonly healthy all the preceding season, it is probable that others suffered from the like inconsiderate curiosity.

From these as from a focus, it gradually diverged over the whole city.

A Brig from Jamaica, with Coffee, some of which was damaged, arrived at Mr. Ross's wharf, in the neighbourhood where the disease made its first and most formidable assault, on the 29th of July, but as the disease had made some progress before that date, there can be no room for suspecting that to have given origin to it. Besides there are no facts in proof of a fever of a contagious kind ever having been produced either by damaged vegetables or by the exhalations from bilge water, as I have sufficiently shewn in my Observations on the Cause and Cure of Bilious Fevers, published last year.

But that the contagion which gives rise to such a fever as the one under consideration, may be retained in an active state, in the clothing of these that have been sick or that have died of it, for several weeks if excluded from fresh air, is well known to those conversant with medical history.

We are informed in the last edition of the works [Page] of the late learned Dr. Mead, that a sack of infected cotton imported into Bermudas in the year 1695. gave origin to a fever so malignant, that the living scarcely sufficed to bury the dead. It is also recorded, that the imprisoned seeds of a pestilential fever, which depopulated Marseilles in the year 1720, made their escape from a sailor's bundle, lately arrived from the Levant.

The importation of the contagion which gave rise to the plague in London in the year 1665, and almost depopulated that city in the course of the summer and autumnal months, is a fact too notorious to expatiate upon. A similar fever, which destroyed 80,000 of the inhabitants of Moscow and the adjacent villages in 1771, was introduced by Turkish prisoners, as appears from the account of Mertins, one of the physicians appointed by the empress to attend the infected. This fever, like the one with which we have been visited, yielded to the power of frost. We have the authority of the experienced Lind, that the yellow fever was introduced into Philadelphia in the year 1741 by a trunk of infected cloathing received from Barbadoes; and of Dr. Lining, that every time it had appeared in Charleston, it had been traced to some person or vessel recently arrived from the West-Indies.

The yellow fever which prevailed in New-Haven in the year 1794, was traced to imported contagion, as appears from the statement of Dr. Monson, published in Webster's collection of papers on bilious fevers. For more examples of the same kind, I refer to a book which I published last year, entitled, "Observations on the Causes and Cure of Bilious Fevers."

The introduction of the disease into Chester, Marcus-Hook and Wilmington, soon after its appearance in Philadelphia, are additional proofs in support of the opinion that the late fever was derived from imported contagion.

[Page] A lad belonging to John Wood, a potter, who had slept two nights on board a shallop employed in trading to Philadelphia a short time before he was taken ill, was the first that died of the yellow fever in Chester, and he died on the 31st day of July.—Another lad that had slept on board the same shallop with Mr. Wood's lad, was taken ill the same day but recovered in the course of a week. The one that died had the black vomit, and his corpse became very yellow.

Seven days after the decease of the first mentioned lad, his mother and brother were both attacked with fever, and the brother was buried 11 days after.

William Siddons, jun. who had set up with the first mentioned lads during their illness, was taken with the fever on the first of August, and died the 8th. Charles Warrick, who had also visited them, was attacked with fever the 4th of August and died the 9th. Abby Engle, who lived next door to Siddons, died the 16th of August. Jesse Bickerton, at whose house Abby Engle died, was attacked a few days after her decease, on board his shallop at the Fort, and died on the 28th of August. After the first of September, the disease spread into every part of that village, which contained but about 50 families, and before it ceased, destroyed 50 persons, several of whom were of the first note in the place; though it was gradually deserted by all, excepting six or seven families. Of all that were sick at Chester, there were not more than five or six that recovered.

The disease appears to have been introduced into Marcus-Hook by infected persons from Philadelphia. The first death was on the 10th of August.—From the list kept by R. Riley, esq. it appears that the funerals at Marcus-Hook were 21 adults and 6 children, inhabitants; and 24 strangers—Total—52.

[Page]

Extract of a Letter from Dr. Sayres, dated Marcus Hook, November, 24, 1798.

THE first case of yellow fever, that came under my notice in Marcus Hook, was on August 2d. 1798. This was a shallop man, who came from Philadelphia, four days previous to the attack of the Fever—he died, the 6th. day of the disease, with the highest symptoms of putrescency. The next five cases of disease, were persons, who were but a few days from Philadelphia, viz. from two to eight days. The disease, appeared to increase considerably in this place, and in Chester, by the 20th. of August; The symptoms on the first attack, were more strongly marked—and the proportionate number of deaths, were much increased by the first of September. The number of cases which came under my notice from the second day of August, until the 26th. of October, was eighty two—Fifty-seven of these, died.

The greater part of those, who were lately from Philadelphia, died between the second and the sixth day after their attack. The inhabitants of this place and Chester, who had the disease, and had not been in Philadelphia, recovered in greater proportion.

The disease appeared, in a number of cases, evidently communicated by contagion—in some cases from the sick—and several cases from the bed linen, &c.—Though in a considerable number of cases, which speedily terminated fatally, I was not able to trace the smallest vestige of contagion, being previously applied, or received.

Free and copious bleeding was made use of in the first stage with evident advantage in most cases. We bled in very few instances, with success, after forty eight hours from the attack of the disease.

[Page] The greatest number of successful cases, were, where free bleeding was instantly used, before the fever had continued many hours; and immediately followed by a free use of calomel, &c. so as to operate very freely and copiously upon the alimentary canal, and free sweating afterwards. In general, our cases terminated unfortunately, except we found salutary symptoms appear in sixty hours from the attack.

Blisters were used freely, after symptoms of high debility took place—and in some cases with manifest advantage. In no instance that I saw, was bleeding successful, after two days and an half—but when used in a few of such cases, it appeared evidently to sink the patient and to hasten his death.

We used bark, wine, and a number of the common stimulants, on the first appearance of debility taking place; but with little success.

Finding the common round, of medicine, prove so ineffectual in the advanced stage of the disease, I determined to use a different mode of treatment—in three cases of adults, two of which had the black vomiting on them, and the third, was in a gore of putrid blood from the mouth and nose. I forbid medicine, and directed very cold water and brandy mixed strong, to be given freely as possible:—It had the happy effect of checking the puking in the two cases, when the stomach had rejected every kind of mild drink, &c. and by continuing that practice, almost so as to produce high intoxication, for two or three days, those two cases, were recovered almost from a state of death. The third case, was much benefited apparently for three days—but, being in a high putrescent state when I went first to see him, and having lost a very considerable quantity of blood from the mouth, nose, &c. his [...]se proved unfortunate on the ninth day.

[Page] There was a number of seamen died here, with the disease, though from no single vessel, (excepting the Ganges) more than two or three.

"We were seldom able to produce ptyalism, before the disease terminated fatally. In every case where mercury affected the salivary glands at an early period of the disease, the patient recovered—and I observed that immediately after the spitting took place, every favourable symptom of returning health began to appear."

The editor has been favoured with letters from Doctors Tilton and Monro, giving an account of the time and manner of the introduction of the yellow fever into Wilmington, from which the following particulars are extracted:

Wilmington, November 13, '98.

Dear Sir,

THE first case of yellow fever which happened in Wilmington, this season, was in the person of one of the inhabitants of the borough, who caught it in Philadelphia about the 1st of August, sickened on the road home, and died soon after. The contagion was not communicated from this case. The Philadelphians flocked in upon us immediately afterwards. I visited a young man from Philadelphia, in the fever, on the 10th of the same month. This man was among the first, if not the very first, that was sent to our newly instituted Hospital. The fever became epidemic between the 15th and 20th.—It commenced with persons immediately from Philadelphia, as well inhabitants of the borough, as of the city. Shallop-men and others, who passed from one place to the other, by water, were the first victims. From these it extended rapidly to the inhabitants of fixed residence. A ship manned chiefly by French royalists, that entered our port after the sickness had [Page] commenced, was also suspected of contributing to the evil; but of this I have no evidence. From all the information that came to my knowledge, every physician of this place, and all others of correct observation agree, that the disease was imported to us from Philadelphia, by infected goods and furniture, as well as infected persons. We suppose the disease to be propagated by contagion, from infected persons, cloathing, vessels, houses, &c. It is remarkable, however, that stronger exhalations arise from persons affected by this fever, than in other febrile diseases; and we have reason to believe that many were affected by the contagion, at a distance from the sick reaching quite across our streets. No instance of those who sled to the country communicating it to others, has come to my knowledge within the vicinity of Wilmington. It is said that instances of this sort have happened at Marcus-Hook and other places; but for these I cannot vouch.

In another letter I shall be ambitious to make some compensation for your former valuable favour to me, by a few observations, particularly on the cholera infantum, that may not be unacceptable to you: for you will admit, that the Delaware physicians ought to be of authority in bilious disorders.

JAMES TILTON.

"P. S. I have reason to expect, that some account of the yellow fever will be published, under the patronage of our committee of health. In that case, I will send you a copy, which will be more to your purpose than any thing I can say."

Dr. Monro's letter of the 19th November, confirms Dr. Tilton's account of the time [...] manner of the introduction of the disease into Wilmington, and of its being afterwards communicated by the inhabitants of fixed residence, from one to another.

[Page] "A man who had been to the city to rent a house in that part of the city where the disease occasioned the first alarm, and had been on board an infected vessel, was taken sick on his return to Wilmington, and died soon after his arrival there, with symptoms of confirmed yellow fever."

"One half of all the sick that were sent to the tents died." This Dr. Monro ascribes to the absolute interdection of the use of mercury there. In his own-practice, no person died after salivation came on, nor did he know of an instance, under the care of any other physician in that place.* "The disease was sensibly checked soon after the cold weather, which occurred the latter end of September; revived with the returning warm weather, but was entirely extinguished by the 3rd of November."

It is now known that a lad of the name of Dagget, was attacked with the yellow fever the 26th of July, on board the schooner John, from Boston, which lay at Ross and Simpson's wharf, a little way below Walnut-street. Mr. Lloyd and his clerk had been on board of her a few days before their attack; and a woman and two of the hands died (according to the report of the master to Dr. Dorsey) on her outward passage.

An unanswerable argument that the fever did not originate from domestic causes, is afforded by the exemption of Baltimore, Georgetown, Alexandria, Norfolk, Wilmington, (N. C.) Charleston, and Savannah.

The disease this year prevailed, and was attended with a degree of mortality unexampled in this country, (considering the comparative smallness of the number that remained within the sphere of the contagion) [Page] in all the commercial towns north of Baltitimore; whereas all the commercial towns south of Baltimore have escaped, Petersburg excepted, and the disease was introduced into Petersburg by the ship Nestor from Philadelphia.

Is it possible to believe, that the late fever, (which is considered by the advocates for its domestic origin, to be only a higher grade of the common bilious fever which appears in low marshy countries every summer and autumn) could originate and become epidemic on the high, dry and sandy banks of Kensington? in the paved, clean and open streets of Philadelphia, where every wind that blows has a free course? on the high and gravelly hills of Wilmington? on the elevated shores of York, washed on either side by Ocean's briny waves? and not make its appearance on the flats of Baltimore, or the putrid fens of Charleston and Savannah, where bile flows in incessant streams; and where the debilitated inhabitants faint under the insufferable blaze of a vertical sun?

If the united opinion of a number of men of the first abilities and most extensive professional knowledge be of authority on the present interesting question, that of the College of Physicians, presented last year to the Legislature, ought to be admitted: the substance of which follows. The College is in possession of still stronger facts and documents in support of their opinion this year.

"The College is of opinion, that the yellow fever is derived from imported contagion. For this opinion they assign the following among other reasons: "The disease in question is essentially different from the fevers that occur in this climate, and which originate from domestic causes. It also differs essentially from them in the circumstance of being contagious; a bilious fever originating from domestic [Page] causes having never been to our knowledge contagious in this climate."

And that the yellow fever, which has committed such deplorable ravages in different commercial cities of these states, since the year 1793, was not derived from the exhalations of putrid vegetable substances, which occasion intermitting, remitting, or bilious fevers, but was of pestilential origin, is fully established by the facts published in the year 1795, by Dr. Chisholm, surgeon-general to the Ordinance in the West-India Islands, to which valuable publication the reader is referred.

[Page] PRESUMING that the public mind will no longer be held in suspense respecting the origin of the fatal malady by which the fair prospects, of this, and other commercial cities, in this country, have been repeatedly blasted; I trust the legislature, the enlightened guardians of the public welfare, will proceed, without delay, to establish more effectual rules, than those, at present existing, to prevent the future return of the awful calamity.

Supineness or an ill judged parsimony on the present interesting occasion, would force commerce to desert our coasts, and involve the inhabitants of our cities, in absolute ruin, which would soon be followed by that of agriculture, for the existence of the one, is necessary to that of the other.

It has lately been proposed by a respectable committee of the inhabitants of this city, to petition either for an intire interdiction of the West India trade, during the summer, and autumnal months, or, (if that should be thought too great a sacrifice), for the establishment of such quarantine rules, as shall effectually preclude the introduction of the disease.

To effect this desirable purpose, I beg leave to recommend the rules published in the Gazette of the United States, of the 21st of September, signed, Mentor; and to prevent it from spreading when introduced, I believe the rules with the same signature published in the Gaz. of the U. S. of Septr. 25th or 26th, if strictly complied with, will [Page] always be found effectual. Similar rules were put in practice with the most happy effects, the present year, not only in the Pennsylvania Hospital, by Mr. Samuel Coats, who resided there, during the continuance of the fever, and in the Alms-House, by Mr. Cummins, and Dr. James, where the pensioners and orphans were numerous, but in the prison for convicts, under the direction of the American Howard, who took his residence in that dreary and dangerous abode, about the 20th. of September, at which time the disease had made considerable havoc among those wretched votaries of rapine and disorder.

The number of male convicts confined in the prison at that time was about 140; The females were less numerous.

The vagrants and untried criminals had been removed.

The males and females were confined in separate, and distant wings of the prison.

Eighteen of the male criminls, on account of their late insurrection, were confined in dungeons; the remainder occupied different apartments on the same floor.

Several of the men were ill of the fever at that time. The women were all in health, and continued in that condition during the whole time that the disease prevailed in the city.

A ward in the East wing was immediately appropriated for the reception of the sick, who were separated from the sound, and every necessary accommodation provided for them. These were attended by Dr. Benjamin Duffield. A separate apartment was provided for the convalescents. More nutritious aliment than they had been accustomed to, (for they had been allowed for many days only sufficient food to prevent them from famishing) with a [Page] small allowance of claret, was distributed among those that had hitherto escaped the disease, but every kind of excess and irregularity discountenanced and prohibited.

A quantity of green wood was removed from the yard, as well as cart loads of dirt, litter and every putrifiable material that could be discovered; the obstructed channel opened for the passage of the water; the pavement kept continually wet and cool, by means of the pump; the vegetables along the wall cherished; the occupation of stone-sawing carried on; cleanliness was strictly observed; every Ward constantly ventilated, and the avoiding all intercourse (this last by the direction of the physician) earnestly enjoined. By these means the disease was arrested in its progress, and in the course of three weeks was entirely eradicated.

Let others profit by this example, and merit the benediction of an approving conscience, sweeter than the plaudits of an admiring world.

FINIS.

Notes

*

Dr. Griffitts prescribed for one of the crew of the Deborah at Philips's while he lay ill who had taken lodgings there 24th of July. The physician of port informed the college of physicians, that one of the crew of the Deborah died at the Marine Hospital; and that two pilots, that conducted the [...]al and the Aurora, died there about the same time.

↵

*

This was not constantly the case in Philadelphia.

↵

Information about this book

Title statement

Memoirs of the yellow fever, which prevailed in Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States of America, in the summer and autumn of the present year, 1798. Including, tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; the proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. : With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; and the publications which appeared in the different newspapers, during the continuance of the disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c. : To which is added, a collections of facts respecting the origin of the fever. / By William Currie, S.C.M.P. author of "An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the causes and cure of bilious fevers." &c. &c. ; [Six lines of verse]

Currie, William, 1754-1828.

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2008-09.

ID [DLPS]

N25332

ID [TCP]

N25332

ID [STC]

Evans 33589

ID [NOTIS]

APX3974

ID [IMAGE-SET]

33589

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99020743

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 33589.

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(Evans-TCP ; no. N25332)

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— Memoirs of the yellow fever, which prevailed in Philadelphia, and other parts of the United States of America, in the summer and autumn of the present year, 1798. Including, tables of the weather, and the daily returns of the sick and dead; the proceedings of the Board of Health, and Guardians of the Poor. : With the various events of each day, noted at the time of their occurrence; and the publications which appeared in the different newspapers, during the continuance of the disease, dissections at Boston, &c. &c. : To which is added, a collections of facts respecting the origin of the fever. / By William Currie, S.C.M.P. author of "An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States." And of "Observations on the causes and cure of bilious fevers." &c. &c. ; [Six lines of verse], Currie, William, 1754-1828..

Extent

[4], 145, [1] p. ; 21 cm. (8vo)

Printed by John Bioren, for Thomas Dobson, at the Stone House, no. 41, South Second Street.,. Philadelphia: :: 1798..

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