26 oct. 1793 - Yellow Fever Epidemin in Philadelphia

Description:

Summer was dry and hot
Philadelphia is one of the most hot and humid cities on the eastern seaboard
“The Dock Creek was the single (open) sewer; in the rest of the city, liquids and waste (including offal and dead animals) were thrown into holes dug into the ground that also captured rain runoff. Residents stored rainwater in barrels.”
50,000 people living in the city
20,000 fled for the countryside
2,500 free blacks living in city – thought to be immune and forced to nurse sick
Outbreak originally blamed on French refugees fleeing slave revolt in Hispaniola
Outbreak ends in October with first frost

Ajouté au bande de temps:

Date: