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Letter to Editor
September 3, 1797
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A letter to Mr. Fenno criticizes French surgeon Mr. Deveze's published opposition to Philadelphia's executive and health inspectors' measures against the yellow fever epidemic. It defends the measures' effectiveness in limiting victims and argues the fever may be contagious in its later stages, despite Deveze's views.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MR. FENNO,
A correspondent observes, that it is very unbecoming in Mr. Deveze, a French surgeon who was formerly employed as a physician in the hospital at Bush-hill, to make use of such an assuming authority in his letter to Gov. Mifflin, published in the Aurora of this day, against all the measures that have been employed by our executive, and by the inspectors of the health, in order to check the progress of the malignant yellow fever. He may think as firmly as he pleases that this dreadful disorder is not contagious nor imported; but yet we have learned men enough here whose opinions should at least balance his own, in the mind and judgment of our fellow-citizens. Mr. Deveze, who draws such an exaggerated picture of those measures, does not foresee how far the citizens will approve of them, when they investigate why so few victims were devoured by the malignant scourge.
Among those physicians who believe that the yellow fever is not a contagious malady, there is not one but will be candid enough to acknowledge that if it is an epidemic particularly generated in this city and suburbs, by the effect of any floating effluvia, no better preventative remains to our fellow-citizens who can afford it, than to keep off for a short while, and to breathe the pure and salubrious air of the country. Admitting that the yellow fever is not a contagious disorder as the plague, the scurvy, the small pox, &c. it would be very difficult for Mr. Deveze, and for any physician to prove that it is not contagious in its last stage.
Chymists know how dangerous it is to be in contact with animal putrefaction to a certain degree, and physicians cannot deny that even before their deaths, the sick with the yellow fever are in a state of putrefaction. As Mr. Deveze is not of the college of physicians, we think it very improper that he should assert that the measures adopted by the executive and by the inspectors of the health have been the result of a decision of 5 or 6 physicians.
September 2.
A correspondent observes, that it is very unbecoming in Mr. Deveze, a French surgeon who was formerly employed as a physician in the hospital at Bush-hill, to make use of such an assuming authority in his letter to Gov. Mifflin, published in the Aurora of this day, against all the measures that have been employed by our executive, and by the inspectors of the health, in order to check the progress of the malignant yellow fever. He may think as firmly as he pleases that this dreadful disorder is not contagious nor imported; but yet we have learned men enough here whose opinions should at least balance his own, in the mind and judgment of our fellow-citizens. Mr. Deveze, who draws such an exaggerated picture of those measures, does not foresee how far the citizens will approve of them, when they investigate why so few victims were devoured by the malignant scourge.
Among those physicians who believe that the yellow fever is not a contagious malady, there is not one but will be candid enough to acknowledge that if it is an epidemic particularly generated in this city and suburbs, by the effect of any floating effluvia, no better preventative remains to our fellow-citizens who can afford it, than to keep off for a short while, and to breathe the pure and salubrious air of the country. Admitting that the yellow fever is not a contagious disorder as the plague, the scurvy, the small pox, &c. it would be very difficult for Mr. Deveze, and for any physician to prove that it is not contagious in its last stage.
Chymists know how dangerous it is to be in contact with animal putrefaction to a certain degree, and physicians cannot deny that even before their deaths, the sick with the yellow fever are in a state of putrefaction. As Mr. Deveze is not of the college of physicians, we think it very improper that he should assert that the measures adopted by the executive and by the inspectors of the health have been the result of a decision of 5 or 6 physicians.
September 2.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Health Medicine
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Yellow Fever
Contagion Debate
Philly Epidemic
Deveze Criticism
Gov Measures
Health Inspectors
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Fenno
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Fenno
Main Argument
criticizes mr. deveze's assumption of authority in opposing government measures against yellow fever, defends their effectiveness in saving lives, and argues the disease is likely contagious in its later stages despite not being imported.
Notable Details
References Deveze's Letter To Gov. Mifflin In The Aurora
Mentions Bush Hill Hospital
Compares Yellow Fever To Plague, Scurvy, Small Pox
Notes Deveze Not In College Of Physicians