An Inquiry into the Various Sources of the Usual Form of Summer & Autumnal Disease in the United States

Book

18th Century Medicine in Philadelphia

Name/Title

Description

An Inquiry into the Various Sources of the Usual Form of Summer & Autumnal Disease in the United States, and the Means of Preventing Them. To Which Are Added, Facts, Intended to Prove the Yellow Fever Not to be Cortagious.

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Date Examined

Jun 24, 2023

Notes

1805. 1st ed. 113pp. Perod-style calf-backed marbled boards, gilt- decorated spine, black morocco spine label. Faint scattered foxing, early ownership signature (W. Post), else a very good or better copy.

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

This work derives from the second edition of Rush's Medical Inquiries and Observations, expanded with a history of yellow fever as it periodically occurred in Philadelphia from 1793 on. Rush concluded that yellow fever was not a contagion rather was an epidemic that surfaced under miasmatic conditions. Although Rush observed that human epidemics were frequently preceded by the presence of still-standing and stagnant sources of water, large numbers of mosquitoes, and high mortality rates among smaller animals, he never made the connection between the breeding grounds of mosquitoes, the mosquitoes themselves, and their incisive role in spreading disease. It was a century later that yellow fever was discovered to be a viral infection transmitted between humans by mosquitoes. Rush was a close observer and continued to change his thoughts on the nature and treatment of yellow fever over time. "Rush was considered the ablest American clinician of his time. He was a friend of Benjamin Franklin and one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. His many writings are distinguished for their classical style. Rush probably had more influence on American medicine than any other single man"-Garrison and Morton 80. See also B 192 of this collection for another copy, inscribed by Rush