Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

An examination of this table, by any man unbiassed by the received opinion, will, I think, convince him of the justice of the hypothesis which I have advanced-that the increase or abatement of the violence of the disorder, depended on other causes than the degree of heat, cold, rainy or dry weather. Here is the most palpable proof. The average of the thermometer, the four first quoted days, was 75°-the average of the deaths 65.5. The second four days, although the thermometer averaged only 70.25, the frightful average of deaths was, 106.75. And on the last four days, the thermometer averaged 65.5, whereas the deaths were only 37.5. To facilitate the comparison, I subjoin an abstract of the preceding statement.

[blocks in formation]

Thus, those days on which the mortality was at its highest stage, were five degrees colder than those when the deaths had been only five-eighths of the number. And the difference of five degrees between the second and the third four days, will not be pretended to account for a decrease of very nearly twothirds. There does not appear to have been any frost until after the disorder had entirely subsided.

I here annex the weekly average of the thermometer and of the deaths, from the 1st of August to the 7th of November, for the reader's inspection.*

* When the fractions exceed half, an unit is added; when they are below half, they are rejected.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

From the above table it appears, that during the month of September, there was a rapid increase of deaths regularly, except on the 29th and 30th, although the weather was growing cooler nearly the whole time. Let any advocate of the theory of cold and rain, compare the first week in September with the second week in October. He will see that the former was ten degrees warmer than the latter, yet the mortality of the one, was only a fifth part of the other. If he will, after this, say that the difference of 13 degrees between the second week in October and the 3d and 4th, will account for a reduction of the mortality from 100 to 67, and then to 39, I can only answer, that an inveterate prejudice too often clouds the reason, and renders it impossible to see the truth, however evident.

In opposition to what I have advanced, it has been observed, that the unfavourable effects of very sultry days were felt for several succeeding ones. This is a weak resource, as will appear from examining the table. The heat of the first and second weeks in October was the same: yet the mortality in the second was nearly one half more than in the first. The heat of the fourth was equal to that of the third, although in the former the deaths were nearly double what they were in the latter.

I hope, therefore, the reader will acknowledge, that the Great Disposer of winds and rains, took his own time, and without the means, either moral or physical, on which we placed our chief reliance, to rescue the remnant of us from destruction.

K

CHAPTER XVI.

Desultory Facts and Reflections.—A collection of Scraps.*

THE want of a Lazaretto, whither persons labouring under contagious disorders, might be sent, and of an adequate law on the subject, empowering the civil authority to interpose with the necessary energy, at the first inroad of such a dreadful destroyer, has been probably the chief cause of our late sufferings; for, humanly speaking, had decisive measures been adopted any time before the first of September, while the disorder existed only in one street, and in a few houses in that street, there can be little doubt, that it might have been very soon extinguished. But the former sufferings of this place in 1762, were forgotten-and no steps had been taken to provide for the removal of such an evil in future, after it should invade the city. It is to be hoped, our legislature, as well as that of every state in the union, will see the propriety of giving this important subject the consideration it so amply deserves, and of making provision against like calamities in future. In Italy, at Spalatro, where the plague raged fifteen or twenty years ago, if the infected did not reveal their situation to the proper authority, they were subjected to capital punishment; and the same penalty was denounced against such as did not inform of infected persons, when they knew of them. This is too severe for the paternal mildness of our criminal code; but some penalties ought to be denounced in such cases. Indeed, were Lazarettos on a proper establishment, it would be an object of desire with the sick, to be transported to them.

It is hardly conceivable that the funeral of entire strangers could afford subject of satisfaction. Yet they have produced that effect. After being so long accustomed to behold the bo

*This and the succeeding chapter calls for some apology. Many of the anecdotes herein related, are of little importance, except from their having a tendency to reflect light on the state of the public mind during a time in which men were most completely taken by surprise. Considering the subject in this point of view, hardly any occurrence, of so eventful a period, ought to be suffered to sink into oblivion. Some, of a ludicrous turn, are introduced as a relief to the sombre complexion of a narrative, in which the predominant characters are death and destruction, and a cold regard for self alone.

dies of the dead, drawn to the grave on the shafts of a chair, the sight of a corpse carried by men to the grave yard, afforded something like the appearance of former times; and I believe the satisfaction excited by that consideration absorbed every thought of the deceased.

The appearance of most of the grave yards in Philadelphia is extremely awful. They exhibit a strong likeness of ploughed. fields; and were any thing capable of stamping on our breasts indelible impressions of the uncertainty of the tenure by which we hold our very precarious existence, a turn through one of our burial grounds could not possibly fail to produce that effect. But it is to be feared, that with the danger will vanish all recollection of the distressing scenes we have passed through.

It has been denied that a person is twice susceptible of the yellow fever. The opinion, as it has a good tendency, to inspire confidence in convalescents, and in those who have quite recovered, might perhaps as well be suffered to pass uncontroverted, were not truth the object. Several persons in this city, have been twice sick with this disorder. I know it is usual to call this a relapse. But relapse or not, those people whom I mean, have been ill-have recovered entirely-and been a second time taken down. Some of them are now no more, witness Mr. Fleming. Mr. William Young was worse the second time than the first, but has quite recovered.

One observation, of great importance to the cause of humanity, escaped me in the former editions, and ought to be very particularly attended to in every such dreadful crisis as we have experienced. Of the very large number of persons who have fallen under this disorder, it is not improbable that a third or a fourth have perished in the early stages of the disorder, merely for want of necessary care and attention, owing to the extraordinary panic. Almost all the remarkable cases of recovery are to be ascribed, under providence, to the fidelity of husbands, wives, children, and servants, who braved the danger, and determined to obey the dictates of humanity. There are various instances of persons who may be said to have been by these means snatched from the grasp of death; having been so far reduced, as to have their coffins made.-And for the encouragement of those who may, at any other time, or in any other place, have friends or relatives in this disorder, let it be remarked, that few of those who discharged their duty to their

families, have suffered by it. There are instances of individuals, who have nursed and attended on six, eight and ten persons unremittingly, in their own houses, without taking the infection. Others, before their illness, and after their recovery, nursed and restored their families. William Young had no less than ten in his house sick, and nearly all at one time. He attended on them until he was taken ill; and, during his sickness, gave directions for the management of them, as effectually as if he were well. After his recovery, he again attended them himself. Of his whole family, his wife only died; and it is supposed that her death was accelerated by her being in an advanced stage of pregnancy. There are cases of single persons having the disorder in large families of eight, ten, and twelve, and none catching it from them. In the family of David Clarke, who died of the malignant fever, there were no less than twenty-two persons, not one of whom caught the infection, although he had the same attention paid him by all his family, as if he had been in any other disorder. Not one of the carters employed by the committee in the very dangerous office of removing the sick and burying the dead, ever had it.” The nurses at Bushhill have all escaped, except two; as have the worthy managers. Thomas Boyles, the tenant, who occupied the building at Bushhill, at the time it was taken as an hospital, that is, the 31st of August, lived there until the 29th of October, with his wife and six children, none of whom were ever affected with the malignant fever. Let these instances suffice at all future times to prevent fear from totally overpowering the understanding, and producing scenes of cruelty which make a feeling being blush for his species.

Among the country people, large quantities of wild pigeons in the spring are regarded as certain indications of an unhealthy summer. Whether or not this prognostic has ever been verified before, I cannot tell. But it is very certain, that

* Let not the humble sphere of life in which he moves, prevent me from here mentioning a worthy and faithful man, Thomas Wilkinson, employed by the Committee, in burying the dead, and removing the sick, from their organization till the extinction of the disorder. Such was the noxious situation of many dead bodies, that he frequently returned vomiting from the performance of his duty. In one instance, in raising the corpse of a woman several days dead, he was covered with putrescent blood. Yet he still persevered in the most unwearied manner, through dangers, that render his preservation equally astonishing with that of Girard, Helm, Helmuth, Mrs. Saville, and others.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »