An American plague : the true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793

Book

An American plague : the true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 / by Jim Murphy.

Murphy, Jim, 1947- (Author).

Summary:

It's 1793, and there's an invisible killer roaming the streets of Philadelphia. The city's residents are fleeing in fear. This killer has a name--yellow fever--but everything else about it is a mystery. Its cause is unknown and there is no cure. This powerful dramatic account by award-winning author Jim Murphy traces the devastating course of the epidemic. An American Plague offers a fascinating glimpse into the conditions in American cities at the time of our nation's birth while drawing thought-provoking parallels to modern-day epidemics.

Record details

ISBN: 0395776082
ISBN: 9780395776087
Physical Description: 165 p. : ill., maps ; 25 cm.
Publisher: New York : Clarion Books, c2003.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-153) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: No one noticed -- "All was not right" -- Church bells tolling -- Confusion, distress, and utter desolation -- "It was our duty" -- The prince of bleeders -- "By twelve only" -- "This unmerciful enemy" -- "A delicate situation" -- Improvements and the public gratitude -- "A modern-day time bomb."