An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy.
Teen Zone Non-Fiction - Main Level - 614.541 M
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live during the birth of America? Well An American Plague by Jim Murphy provides a window into that time and specifically explores the yellow fever sickness that ripped through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the hot summer and fall months of 1793. At the time, Philadelphia was our nation’s capitol and important national affairs were conducted within the city. However, once yellow fever hit, our nation’s capitol ground to a halt. Many inhabitants left the city, including our first president George Washington. In fact, the fear, pain, and death caused by yellow fever created a mass exodus of flight among Philadelphia's citizens.
Jim Murphy has written a gripping and true tale that is educational and interesting. Explored within its contents are: the yellow fever illness, how doctors treated it, theories of its causes, and how the city of Philadelphia dealt with this crippling tragedy. The account ends with a hopeful yet cautious tone of warning that such a tragedy could occur again if people do not remain vigilant in prevention of this disease. If you are looking for a fiction companion to this book you may want to try Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson.