The Great Philadelphia Escape of 1793: When Bugs Gave Everyone the Jitters
Let's face it, 1793 wasn't exactly a banner year for Philadelphia. Sure, they had the whole "being the temporary capital of the U.S." thing going for them, but a way sneakier visitor decided to crash the party – yellow fever.
This nasty little virus wasn't exactly Mickey Mouse at a kid's birthday bash. It showed up uninvited, spread like wildfire, and left a whole lot of folks feeling under the weather (and by "under the weather," we mean six feet under).
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So, what happened next?
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| How Many People Left Philadelphia In 1793 |
The Great Exodus: When Leaving Town Became Trendy
Let's just say, Philadelphia wasn't exactly the place to be. People hightailed it out of there faster than you can say "mosquito." We're talking an estimated 20,000 residents packing their bags – that's nearly half the city's population at the time!
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Fun Fact: Even President George Washington wasn't keen on hanging around for a bout of yellow fever. He dusted off his walking shoes and became the original "work from home" guy, setting up shop in Germantown.
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Why the Mass Flee?
Honestly, can you blame them? Here's the thing – back in 1793, nobody knew what caused yellow fever, let alone how to cure it. People were understandably terrified. Imagine a world without hand sanitizer or Netflix – that's basically what 1793 Philadelphia was like, only with a killer disease on the loose.
The City of Brotherly Love... With Reservations
Of course, not everyone skipped town. Doctors (with the exception of some who, ahem, prioritized self-preservation) and plenty of brave souls stuck around to help those in need. But for the most part, Philadelphia became a ghost town faster than you could say "boo!"
FAQ: How to Survive a Colonial Plague (with a healthy dose of humor)
While we wouldn't recommend surviving a plague in the 18th century, here are some fun (and totally not medically accurate) tips:
- How to Spot a Plague: If your skin starts resembling a banana and you feel like you've swallowed a fireball, it might be time to consider a change of scenery.
- Fashionable Face Masks: Forget the bandana! The height of 1793 fashion was a vinegar-soaked handkerchief tied around your nose and mouth. (We don't recommend this either, but hey, at least you'd be stylish?)
- Doctor Recommended Cure: Leeches! Lots and lots of leeches. (Seriously, don't try this at home.)
- Social Distancing Tips: Get thee to a very large, very open field. The further away from people, the better! Bonus points for building a moat around yourself.
- Entertainment During a Plague: Board games? Please! In 1793, plague busters passed the time by gossiping about their fleeing neighbors.
Disclaimer: This FAQ section is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a medical professional for any actual health concerns.
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