An American Plague By Jim Murphy

Philadelphia, the largest and most important U.S. city, soon fell apart in the summer of 1793. A deadly disease with absolutely no cure spread through the city like wildfire, killing more than 5,000 people. Conditions were so horrible, that almost everyone who could leave left. The whole government fled the city, including George Washington, the first U.S. president. Only one government official was brave enough to stay behind and help. Matthew Clarkson was a symbol of heroism for all those who stayed behind in Philadelphia 1793. In the book, An American Plague, by Jim Murphy, Yellow Fever is introduced to the readers as a disease that devastated many lives. The author also describes the conditions leading up to the yellow fever epidemic. The conditions were horrible, and the smells were even worse. Murphy states, “The sloop Amelia from Santo Domingo had anchored with a cargo of …show more content…
Murphy writes, “Both the Mayor and governor wanted to confront and contain the disease as quickly as possible. They also wanted to keep the citizens of Philadelphia calm by showing that they were taking firm steps to deal with the problem”(Murphy 18). Even though the doctors couldn’t come to agreement, Clarkson continued to do things to try and help the remanding citizens. In addition to calling in doctors to help figure out a solution, Clarkson also turned Bush Hill mansion onto a hospital. “Neither Mayor Clarkson nor the Guardians had the legal right to take control of Bush Hill. But the owner, William Hamilton, was living in England at the time, and his caretaker, Thomas Boyles, could do little to stop them. Those still alive at Ricketts’ were moved to Bush Hill, and other desperately ill people followed. All eleven rooms, plus the hallways and staircase landings, were quickly jammed full”(Murphy 40). Because of Clarkson’s actions, people felt the Major was providing care