An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

Nonfiction | Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2014

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapter 11

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

How did Philadelphians first respond to the yellow fever outbreak? What were people’s initial reactions?

Why did so many people flee the city? Where did they go? Who did they leave behind? What were some of the problems they created by leaving?

What were some of the major debates among the College of Physicians during the outbreak? Which doctors were involved? How did the debates play out?

What were some of the additional cures besides the one offered by Benjamin Rush that were recommended for yellow fever in 1793?

What role did race play during the crisis? How did African Americans help? How were they treated afterward?

How did some residents step up to help during the epidemic? What actions did they take? Why did they decide to stay behind instead of leave?

Why did the federal government disagree over whether Congress could meet during the outbreak? What was the role of the government during the fever? How did its role change as a result of the fever?

How did Philadelphia change in the aftermath of the yellow fever epidemic? What improvements were made to the city? What did not improve?

How was yellow fever eventually understood and treated in the 1900s? What changes in medicine had taken place since 1793?

10.

In what ways is yellow fever still a potential threat in modern society? Is the situation in Philadelphia in 1793 likely to be replicated? Why or why not?