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J. H. Powell

Kenneth R. Foster

Bring Out Your Dead: The Great Plague of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793 (Studies in Health, Illness, and Caregiving) Paperback – Download: Adobe Reader, June 1, 1993

by J. H. Powell (Author), Kenneth R. Foster (Introduction), Mary F. Jenkins (Introduction),

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Part of: Studies in Health, Illness, and Caregiving (4 books)

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In 1793 a disastrous plague of yellow fever paralyzed Philadelphia, killing thousands of residents and bringing the nation's capital city to a standstill. In this psychological portrait of a city in terror, J. H. Powell presents a penetrating study of human nature revealing itself. Bring Out Your Dead is an absorbing account, form the original sources, of an infamous tragedy that left its mark on all it touched.

Print length

334 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of Pennsylvania Press
Publication date

June 1, 1993
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.76 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0812214234
ISBN-13

978-0812214239
Lexile measure

1170L
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliant and model treatment of one of the most macabre incidents in American History."—New York Herald Tribune

"A brilliant case study of the visitation of the scourge in Penn's city."—American Historical Review

"A fascinating history of Philadelphia's great plague. Historian Powell's conscientious grubbing among the records pays off with a cumulative effect of horror and heroism seldom found in the most artful fiction."—Time

"Unique in its weaving of the timeless aspects of human behavior with an authentic account of a major epidemic in American and medical history, this book is carefully researched and a very good read."—Nursing History Review

About the Author

John Harvey Powell (1914-1971) graduated from Swarthmore College and earned his Ph.D. degree in American History at the University of Iowa. Kenneth R. Foster is Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Mary F. Jenkins is a Supervisory Park Ranger and Supervisor of the Dolley Todd Madison House and Visitor Center at Independence National Historical Park. Anna Coxe Toogood is Park Historian at Independence National Historical Park.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Pennsylvania Press (June 1, 1993)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 334 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0812214234
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812214239
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1170L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.76 x 8.5 inches

Customer Reviews:
29 ratings

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M. l. Sangie

Boring to a non medical person

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019

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Beautiful hard cover but difficult to relate to unless you are in the medical field, you’ll loose interest fast

Helpful

thomas doerflinger

Vivid Portrait of a Horrific Epidemic

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2014

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This is the classic history of Philadelphia's yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The horrific physical and social effects of the disease are described in revolting detail, and the high-stakes medical debate between the illustrious doctor Benjamin Rush and his opponents is ably recounted. In addition to Dr. Rush, the author presents compelling portraits of the merchant Stephen Girard (who took over management of the key medical facility), Dolly Madison (whose first husband succumbed to the fever) and other important figures. Anyone interested in how Ebola is affecting West Africa today could do far worse than to read this book, even though it describes a different epidemic in a very different time and place.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Kindle Customer

Absolutely scary

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021

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Philadelphia history. Very scary look at forgotten history, especially in light of COVID.

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Gordon Rodda

Irrational behavior in the age of enlightenment

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2000

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This is a great story, full of familiar people (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson), life and death situations, bravery, cowardice, avarice, public hysteria, and stupidity. The author chose to focus on the drama of the event and the clash of medical authorities. But it seems to me that an even greater story lies in the mystery of why no serious effort was made to solve the mystery. That is, given that no one knew what caused the sudden and inexplicable death of thousands of America's finest citizen's, why was the scientific method not applied? Instead, the medical profession selected a host of mostly disastrous therapies, mainly lethal doses of mercury and bloodletting. Possibly as many people died from the "cures" as from the disease. What does this event tell us about our society's willingness to accept authority and mysticism, when a small dose of knowledge would go a whole lot further? This is a fascinating if horrifying portrait of our culture, as well as a great read.

13 people found this helpful

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John O. Meekins

An incredible book--I'd give it more stars if I could

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2011

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If you want real drama, this book has it. If you want characters of great strength on the one hand and great cads on the other, this book has that, too. What a story, all about a yellow fever epidemic that raged through Philadelphia in 1793--and how the population reacted to it. Some of the people in this drama are incredible. Take Stephen Girard, a man so wealthy that he left a bequeath for a school for orphan boys that still exists today, Girard College. Yet, he became personally involved in helping victims of a disease that no one understood and were deathly afraid of. There is Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who is convinced his way of treating people with the disease is valid even after some patients, no many patients die. There are the black, ex-slaves, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, who considered themselves equals in the City of Brotherly Love yet, who were so discriminated against by whites that they founded their own church, the African Methodist Episcopal church. They mobilize the black community of the city, too, to provide aide during the epidemic when the whites mostly fled. Again, what a wonderful, but tragic story this is. It is an exceptional book and a great story. How fortunate it is that J.H. Powell wrote it.

2 people found this helpful

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Gregory Holder

An excellent, anecdote-driven exploration into one of the most terrifying ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2014

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An excellent, anecdote-driven exploration into one of the most terrifying epidemics we've faced in this country. Mr. Powell chooses from some wonderful source material and weaves it in a way that delivers a gut-punching impact.

In particular, this book touches on some of the most important principles in the history of Public Health in this country, including the battle between advocates of contagion vs miasma theory and the historically-relevant importance of class/societal standing and the effect it has on health.

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Fightntiger

Required reading

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2014

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Required for class

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Carrie K McDonald

Have never received the book! Decided it was too much of a hassle to take the next step. This has only happened to me once bef

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2013

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Did not receive the book.I am disappointed. I know the book well and love it and wanted a copy for a gift.

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Bring Out Your Dead: The Great Plague of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793 (Studies in Health, Illness, and Caregiving) Paperback – Download: Adobe Reader, June 1, 1993

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