An American PLAGUE: The True and Terrifying Story of the YELLOW FEVER EPOIDEMIC of 1793

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Murphy, Jim. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: The TRUE and TERRIFYING STORY of the YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC of 1793. 2003. Clarion Books. New York: ISBN 0395776082

2. PLOT SUMMARY

“No one noticed” is the chapter title that begins this account of the Yellow Fever epidemic that devastated Philadelphia, the temporary nation’s capital in 1793. “About this time, this destroying scourge, the malignant fever, crept in among us,” is the quote by Mathew Carey, printed below the title that illustrates the denial that hit the city as their citizens, at first by the dozens, succumbed to this horrible disease. Murphy begins this true account of the beginning of the disease in diary form. On August 3rd, 1793, as President Washington combated efforts to send troops to aid France, the fever reared its ugly head when a French sailor fell ill and died. From here the plague spread like a snake through the insect infested, muggy, garbage filled, unsanitary city.

Chapter two begins with a description of the horrible symptoms of yellow fever, “Between agonized gasps and groans she muttered that her stomach felt as if it were burning up. Every ten minutes or so her moaning would stop abruptly and she would vomit a foul black bile.” As the darkness of the killer picked up its pace, citizens of the city who could afford to flee, did just that, including Washington and his cabinet. Those who were left to suffer the ravages of yellow fever were those who refused to leave their homes, were poor, or committed to helping the ill.

As doctors, like Benjamin Rush, clamored to find a cause and a cure, the heroes of the time, the free African-American citizens (Free African Society) of the city cared for the sick and dying. They carried bodies away from the city when no one else would. These brave men and woman were later vilified for their efforts.

By Wednesday, January 8, 1794, it was believed that the disease had disappeared. Absent residents returned to the city. Murphy details the changes that were made in Philadelphia to avoid a disaster like the one just suffered. No real count of the dead was recorded at the time, however it is estimated 10% of the city’s population of 50,000, up to 5,000 people, lost their lives to yellow fever.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jim Murphy certainly researched the 1793 Philadelphia Yellow Fever outbreak thoroughly as he tells the chilling account of the plague that ravaged the city leaving thousands dead. Murphy paints a picture as if he were writing a novel of the devastation, hopelessness, and agony that ravaged Philadelphia. His book, written in diary form, gives an incremental account of the progress of the dreaded yellow fever as it spread across the helpless city.

The author gives an emotional account of the tireless work accomplished by those left in the city to care for the poor. He tells about the unfailing determination of the African American citizens and afterwards the victimization and unfair accusations made by others as the city repopulated itself after thousands abandoned their friends and loved ones to escape the disease. Murphy does an excellent job of relating the events in a factual way, yet leaves the reader feeling empathy for the brave souls and desperately ill patients left behind.

Murphy also includes an account of the politics of the day and how the city and nation were left almost paralyzed as the temporary capital was left without people in power. Laws prohibiting meetings being held anywhere but the capital made decisions for our nation impossible. The author brings these events to life through portraits and drawings of various characters and scenes portrayed in the book.

Each chapter begins with a title and a quote that gives insight into the events portrayed in the chapter and a quote from a witness of the time. There are also newspaper accounts of the proceedings at the beginning of each chapter which brings authenticity to the true story. Murphy’s novel leaves the reader with questions that may prompt students to look for more information about plagues or this particular yellow fever epidemic.

For ease of reading Murphy includes a table of contents, a map of the city including a key to depict the locations of the events in the book, illustrations along with a notes section describing the illustrations, a detailed list of sources, and an index.

This is a fascinating account of a dark time in our nation. I would definitely recommend this book to students able to comprehend the background and circumstances that permitted this event to happen. I would hesitate to offer this book to children too young because of the graphic descriptions of the illness and disposing of the dead. However, students of a certain maturity will have a lot of material available for discussion concerning the events explained in this book.


4. REVIEWS AND EXCERPT(S)

Kirkus Review – Starred Review - A mesmerizing, macabre account...powerful evocative prose... compelling subject matter...fascinating discussion...valuable lesson in reading and writing history. Stellar.

Publishers Weekly - Leisurely, lyrical tone...Murphy injects the events with immediacy...archival photographs...bring the story to life...comprehensive history."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books – Starred Review - solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories...extensive and interesting...you'll have students hooked on history.

School Library Journal – Starred Review - History, science, politics and public health come together in this dramatic account...brings the 'unshakable unease' chillingly close.

BOOKLIST - diverse voices...representative images...Everywhere, Murphy is attentive to telling detail...Thoroughly documented...the work is both rigorous and inviting.

Horn Book - Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy...transparently clear and well-paced prose...gruesome medical details...also plenty of serious history.

The Washington Post - superbly written...represents nonfiction at its best...extremely accessible and readable...captivating...an outstanding annotated bibliography...an excellent choice.

Awards:
2006 Garden State (NJ) Teen Book Award Nominee
2005 William Allen White (KS) Master List
2004 NYPL Books for the Teen Age List
2004 Notable Children's Book in the Language
2004 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award
2004 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book
2004 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
2004 Notable Children's Trade Book in Social Studies
2004 Orbis Pictus Award
2004 Newbery Honor Book
2004 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
2004 ALA Notable Children's Book
2003 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2003 Parent's Guide Children's Media Award
2003 National Book Award Finalist
2003 Voice of Youth Advocates Nonfiction Honor
2003 NY Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading
2003 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

5. CONNECTIONS

AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: The TRUE and TERRIFYING STORY of the YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC of 1793 lends itself to lively classroom discussions. A teacher might interest the students in other plagues and disasters that have beleaguered cities, states, and countries, such as AIDS.

Have students research the cause and cure of the yellow fever epidemic as we now understand and compare the findings to those described in the book.

The first two chapters can be accessed at the following website to introduce the book: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751212

Have students try their own hand at keeping a diary of their own lives, or city, state, and/or national events.

Have students research one of the characters described in the book and report to the class their findings.

Students may find similar books interesting, for example: FEVER, by Laurie Halse Anderson, BLIZZARD!, by Jim Murphy, HITLER YOUTH, by Bartoletti, and VOICE OF A NATION, by Russell Freedman.