Letters, Volume Ii (1793-1813)
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LETTERS, VOLUME II (1793-1813) IV. THE GREATEST BATTLE: RUSH AND THE YELLOW FEVER, 1793-1800 1793 TO ELIZABETH GRAEME FERGUSON, I 8 JANUARY Blanchard's balloon flight-Progress of the campaign against capital punishment. TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS, 9 MARCH Acknowledges and sends publications-Work of the Phila delphia Humane Society. TO THOMAS SMITH, 14 MARCH 6JI Advice respecting Mrs. Smith's complaint of the breast. TO JAMES ABERCROMBIE, 22 APRIL Account of a dinner with Dr. Johnson at Sir Joshua Reynolds' in 1769. TO JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM, 26 APRIL 635 Reflections on the execution of Louis XVI and England's declaration of war. TO JOHN NICHOLSON, I 2 AUGUST Gratitude for loan to African Church-Plan for a Negro farm colony. TO MRS. RUSH, 21-22 AUGUST 637 Outbreak of malignant fever from damaged coffee-5pread of influenza-Family in health-Arrival of Priestley. TO MRS. RUSH, 22-23 AUGUST 639 Account of the raising of the roof of the African Church. TO MRS. RUSH, 25-26 AUGUST 640 Alarming progress of the fever-Advises continued stay in Jersey. TO MRS. RUSH, 26-27 AUGUST 642 The boys to be sent to Trenton-Let their reading be attended to-Deaths. TO MRS. RUSH, 2 7 AUGUST 643 The boys setting out-Advice on care of them-Spread of the fever-BR's health. TO MRS. RUSH, 29-30 AUGUST 644 Pleased with Mrs. Rush's situation-Symptoms of the fever Methods of treatment attempted-Johnny Stall. TO MRS. RUSH, I -2 SEPTEMBER 646 Deaths-Manner of conducting funerals-Prospect of long continuation of fever-Religious sentiments. [ xxix ] CONTENTS TO NICHOLAS BELLEVILLE, 3 SEPTEMBER 64-8 BR's method of treating the fever-Physicians who are ill. TO MRS. RUSH, J-4- SEPTEMBER 64-9 New cases-BR's fatigue and hurry-Another call-Advice respecting the boys. TO MRS. RUSH, 4 SEPTEMBER 650 Dr. Hutchinson's condition-Success of jalap and mercury when taken early. TO MRS. RUSH, 5-6 SEPTEMBER 650 Nearly all are saved to whom BR is called promptly-John Stall and John Coxe-Dr. Hutchinson-Instructions. TO MRS. RUSH, 6-7 SEPTEMBER 653 Should the fever spread to Princeton, BR will send John Coxe to treat it-Death of Hutchinson-BR's remedy called an "inoculating powder"-Work of the Negroes as nurses. TO MRS. RUSH, 8-9 SEPTEMBER 6 55 Acceleration of infection-New patients-Secretary Hamilton a victim-Religious consolations-Conduct of BR's appren tices. TO MRS. RUSH, IO-I I SEPTEMBER 657 A "more awful day than any I have yet seen"-New victims- The knocker now in motion-Usefulness of the blacks. TO MRS. RUSH, I I-I2 SEPTEMBER 659 Has prescribed for over I oo patients this day-Diet-Desires letters. TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS, I 2 SEPTEMBER 660 Instructions for treating the fever-The disease "is now under the power of medicine." TO THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, 12 SEPTEMBER 661 Use of the lancet in yellow fever. TO MRS. RUSH, I 2 SEPTEMBER 662 "Distress and death" in the city-Death of Warner Washing ton-In need of prayers. TO MRS. RUSH, IJ SEPTEMBER 663 Bleeding and purges saved "nearly one hundred lives" in BR's hands yesterday-"Prejudices, fears, and falsehoods" of his colleagues-New victims among physicians. TO MRS. RUSH, I5-I6 SEPTEMBER 664 Scarcely a family escapes-A pathetic case-Mischief done by Kuhn's publication-BR has suffered an attack of the con tagion which yielded to his own remedy. TO MRS. RUSH, 17 SEPTEMBER 665 BR fighting the disease upon his stumps, "like old General Har kemar"-Dissolution of family ties. [ XXX ] CONTENTS TO RACHEL RUSH MONTGOMERY, 18 SEPTEMBER 666 Recovery from an attack of the fever-Universal distress of the city. TO MRS. RUSH, I 8 SEPTEMBER 667 BR's recovery complete, but he will run no risks of relapse Doctors leaving the city. TO MRS. RUSH, 18-19 SEPTEMBER 668 Resumption of BR's calls-Demands upon him by sufferers New remedies gaining wide acceptance-BR plans to give the world an account of the disease and cure-Some of the dead -Life in BR's home-Dearness of provisions. TO MRS. RUSH, 20 SEPTEMBER 672 Increase of distress in the city-Several apprentices confined. TO MRS. RUSH, 21 SEPTEMBER 672 Increased calls-Many turned away-"The principal mortal- ity of the disease now is from the doctors''-Asks for prayers. TO MRS. RUSH, 22-23 SEPTEMBER 674 John Stall below hope-Edward Fisher ill-Marcus taken Heroic labors of little black Peter-BR deserted by his old medical friends. TO MRS. RUSH, 23-24 SEPTEMBER 676 Death of Stall-Pathetic scenes on BR's round of calls- Dr. Ruston's published attack on BR. TO MRS. RUSH, 24-25 SEPTEMBER 678 Advice on Mrs. Rush's situation-Death of Alston, an ap prentice-Richard's schooling-Want of bleeders and medi cines-BR's weakness-Deaths. TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, 25 SEPTEMBER 680 BR's determination to keep his post in the city-Poignant scenes in BR's back parlor-His remedies succeed but are furiously opposed by the followers of Kuhn-IOo deaths daily. TO MRS. RUSH, 25-26 SEPTEMBER 683 Account of BR's routine, to which is now added a nightly stint of putting up medicines for the poor-Prays for rain-There is only one fever in town-Clergymen at their posts. TO MRS. RUSH, 26-2 7 SEPTEMBER 684 John Coxe stricken-Others-Wistar's unfriendly publication -Would willingly retire to the plow or a country school after the epidemic. TO MRS. RUSH, 29-30 SEPTEMBER 686 Death of Mr. Powel-BR's sister in extreme danger-The new remedies have won popular acclaim. TO MRS. RUSH, 30 SEPTEMBER-I OCTOBER 688 Confidence in the rectitude of his present course-His sister slightly better-Visit to Ebenezer Hazard. [ xxxi ] CONTENTS TO MRS. RUSH, I-2 OCTOBER 690 Death of his sister Wallace-Tribute to her devotion-Her funeral-Scarcity of provisions and of cash in the city-Bush Hill. TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, 2 OCTOBER 691 Grateful thanks for offer of help to the poor-Death of BR's sister Wallace-His routine-Conditions in the city. TO MRS. RUSH, 2-3 OCTOBER 693 Comfort in the news from Princeton-"To me belongs now nothing but the present moment"-Dr. Currie has yielded to truth-Could not think of leaving his post. TO JOHN R. B. RODGERS, 3 OCTOBER 694 Account of the origin, symptoms, and treatment of the yellow fever epidemic. TO MRS. RUSH, 3-4 OCTOBER 701 Burden of demands for advice by mail-News of the sick Hamilton and Wolcott-Kindness of patients. TO MRS. RUSH, 4-5 OCTOBER 703 Suffered a slight attack of the fever this morning-Peter stricken-"The heavens are still as brass." TO MRS. RUSH, 6-7 OCTOBER 704 Delinquency of the post office-"All is as yet a gloom before us"-Dr. Griffitts again ill-Religious consolations. TO MRS. RUSH, 7-8 OCTOBER 706 Over 100 carried to the grave today-BR's public letter has been well received-Gives thanks for untroubled dreams. TO OLIVER WOLCOTT, 8 OCTOBER 708 Death of Wolcott's servant. TO MRS. RUSH, 8-9 OCTOBER 708 Mr. Sergeant's death-Physicians ill-Nearly roo patients visit BR's house a day. TO MRS. RUSH, 9-IO OCTOBER 710 News of the victims-"All my meals are public"-The new remedies prescribed half-heartedly by many doctor&--Tribute to Edward Fisher. TO MRS. RUSH, 10-II OCTOBER 7II Nearly 2,000 deaths recorded-Return of BR's fever-Will stay within doors today. TO MRS. RUSH, I I-12 OCTOBER 712 Fisher "an enthusiast in humanity"-BR stays confined Thoughts of his family. TO MRS. RUSH, 13-14 OCTOBER 713 A dream of his wife-Inquiries about the children...,.-Stays con fined-News of the stricken. [ xxxii ] CONTENTS TO MRS. RUSH, 14-15 OCTOBER 715 Crowds at the post office-Marcus' devotion-BR's mother uncommonly well-Expenses of housekeeping-Faithful Brin- dle. TO MRS. RUSH, 17-18 OCTOBER 716 The fever declines-Receipt of contributions from London for the African Church-The "confederacy" against BR. TO MRS. RUSH, 18-19 OCTOBER 718 Death of Dr. Sproat-Mischief done by the bark and wine doctors-Though confined, BR is "still useful." TO MRS. RUSH, 20-21 OCTOBER 719 Death of Mrs. William Smith-News of other sufferers- Dr. Sproat's burial-Marcus' visit to the Rush children at Rose Hill-Wistar and Hodge. TO MRS. RUSH, 21-22 OCTOBER 721 Appearance of the city on BR's first ride out since the lOth Potter's Field-News of the sick-Richard's handwriting. TO MRS. RUSH, 23-24 OCTOBER 723 Revival of the disease with warm weather-3,400 deaths thus far-Public testimonials to BR's work. TO MRS. RUSH, 24-25 OCTOBER 724 Abatement-Samuel Coates' kind assistance-Enmity of BR's colleagues tempts him to consider moving to New York. TO MRS. RUSH, 25-26 OCTOBER 726 Death of George Bullock-Disrepute of the French physicians -BR's ragged condition. TO MRS. RUSH, 27-28 OCTOBER 727 Another residence considered-Cannot promise to escort the family to town-How BR keeps his opponents in awe. TO MRS. RUSH, 28-29 OCTOBER 728 Preparations for return of family-Clamor against BR's asser- tion of local origin of fever-Meditating a retreat from Philadelphia. TO RACHEL RUSH MONTGOMERY, 29 OCTOBER 730 Account of the sacrificial death of their sister Rebecca-Their mother's recovery-Decline of the epidemic.