The Great Philadelphia Fevery Scare of 1793: When the City Turned Sunny Side Up (Literally)
Ah, Philadelphia. City of brotherly love, cheesesteaks, and apparently, a particularly grumpy strain of yellow fever in 1793. Buckle up, history buffs (and hypochondriacs), because we're about to dive into a tale of death, disease, and mass exodus that would make a zombie apocalypse look like a game of patty-cake.
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| How Many People Did Yellow Fever Killed In Philadelphia |
The Not-So-Sunny Arrival of a Not-So-Sunny Disease
Yellow fever, for those unfamiliar with the delightful world of historical plagues, was a nasty tropical bug that liked to take vacations in bustling port cities. Philadelphia, in all its colonial glory, was no exception. Thanks to a combo of overflowing chamber pots, questionable sanitation practices, and a whole lot of bad luck, yellow fever decided to set up shop in the summer of 1793.
From Cheesesteaks to Chaos: The City Goes Sideways
Let's just say things got biblical real quick. People were dropping like flies (pun intended), with symptoms that would make your lunch do a U-turn. The city descended into pandemonium. Folks fled faster than you could say "quarantine," leaving poor Philadelphia a ghost town. Even George Washington hightailed it out of there, proving that even Founding Fathers weren't immune to a good scare (and a potentially fatal fever).
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
The Body Count: When Numbers Get Grim
Now, onto the grim part. Estimating the exact body count from a fever frenzy over 200 years ago is a tricky business. However, historians guess that around 5,000 unlucky souls met their maker thanks to yellow fever. That's roughly 10% of Philadelphia's entire population at the time. Yikes.
So, the answer to your question is: A whole lot. Enough to make even the Liberty Bell cry.
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P.S. Don't worry, yellow fever is pretty much under control these days thanks to modern medicine. Although, maybe avoid swimming in questionable harbor waters during your next visit to Philly.
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FAQ: How to Not Get Eaten by 18th-Century Yellow Fever (Probably)
How to avoid a vacation with yellow fever? Simple: Don't time travel to Philadelphia in 1793. Failing that, avoid swampy areas and invest in a good mosquito net (those little bloodsuckers are the real culprits here).
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
How to tell if you've got yellow fever? If your eyes look like a bad batch of scrambled eggs and your stomach feels like a washing machine on spin cycle, it might be time to see a doctor (preferably one with actual medical knowledge, unlike the folks in 1793).
How to treat yellow fever? Modern medicine has got your back! There's a vaccine to prevent it, and treatment for those who do get sick.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
How to survive a yellow fever outbreak? Social distancing wasn't exactly a thing back then, but isolating the sick and improving sanitation definitely helps. Also, maybe avoid shaking hands with everyone you meet.
How to cheer yourself up after learning about this whole mess? Binge-watch a cheesy historical drama. Just remember, at least you don't have to deal with 18th-century plumbing!
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