Bibliography

Murphy, Jim. 2003. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Clarion Books. New York. ISBN 0395776082.

Plot Summary

Using letters, newspaper accounts and first-hand accounts from citizens and the medical community, Murphy recounts the spread of yellow fever through Philadelphia in 1793. Beginning with the events and conditions often credited with inciting and spreading the disease, he tells of the mass exodus of citizens from the city and the horrific conditions in which victims were found and treated. From August to December of that year, over 5000 people fell victim to the dreaded disease, for which there is still no cure.

Critical Analysis

True to his title, Murphy indeed terrifies with his history of an American plague. Writing in a matter-of-fact manner and sparing no detail, he opens with a graphic description of the conditions in Philadelphia at the onset of the epidemic. Including the state of the Delaware River wharves and the lack of public sanitation of any kind, Murphy makes quite clear how the city was ripe for the spread of disease. His factual recounting is based on the journals of Philadelphia citizens, published first-hand accounts, letters from prominent citizens, including the physicians attempting to conquer the disease, and President George Washington. His version is not for the squeamish, but will appeal to those who crave the complete story.

Sparsely illustrated with engravings and watercolors representing other epidemics and Philadelphia in better days, Murphy includes a note addressing the lack of illustrations from the place and period explored. In spite of the lack of graphic representations of the calamity, he dramatically illustrates the severity of the situation with full-page reproductions of various sections of The Federal Gazette, including public health information from physicians and Mayor Matthew Clarkson and attorneys’ notices to settle the estates of the deceased.

Murphy follows the story through to the inevitable finger-pointing following such a public disaster, then closes with brief summaries of further outbreaks in later years and the subsequent research finally linking the spread of the disease to the mosquito. Murphy closes as he opened – with terrifying details. He reminds us that the cure for yellow fever remains a mystery and that we are still surrounded by mosquitos today.
To help with further research, sources are sub-divided by subject, including Philadelphia, yellow fever, medical treatment, first-hand accounts – personal and medical, other plagues and mosquitos. The book is also indexed, including illustrations.

Awards and Reviews

Newbery Honor Book

National Book Award Finalist

The Robert F. Sibert Medal

Orbis Pictus Award

From School Library Journal - Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories, beginning with the fever's emergence on August 3, when a young French sailor died in Richard Denny's boardinghouse on North Water Street.

From Booklist - History, science, politics, and public health come together in this dramatic account of the disastrous yellow fever epidemic that hit the nation's capital more than 200 years ago.

Connections

Use this text to springboard research on any of the issues included: yellow fever, Philadelphia, medical advances, 18th century public sanitation/health, government response to disaster, insect-borne disease.