1. An American Plague
Philadelphia, 1793

2. Conditions Hot, dry summer Crowded living conditions (high population)
Many insects- mosquitoes spread the disease
Refugees from Caribbean Islands had disease
Poor sanitation- open sewers, rotting garbage

3. Symptoms of Yellow Fever
Contact with infected mosquito
Incubation period of 3-6 days
Initial symptoms: headache, backache, nausea, vomiting, fever (15% of cases progress to toxic stage)
Second stage: jaundice, hemorrhage of mucous membranes, vomiting of blood, and the destruction of the fatty tissues in the liver, kidneys and heart (20% of this stage is fatal)
Death occurs 4-8 days after onset of symptoms
No cure for Yellow Fever- only a vaccine

4. Treatment of Yellow Fever
In Philadelphia, in 1793, there was no vaccine for Yellow Fever.
A vaccine was developed in 1939
Doctors had different treatment plans
Bleeding a patient was common (with leeches or into a cup)
Patient also given Epsom salts (to prevent constipation)
Vinegar compresses
Cold water showered on them (treatment of fever)

5. Jaundice