Historian stephen fried has brought this lesserknown revolutionary figure to life in his new book. In his book, rush chronicled his approach to the disease and experience treating yellow fever patients. Written between 1761 and 18, the letters trace rush s career, from student in scotland and england to signer of the declaration of independence and philadelphias. Because all three 18thcentury epidemics involved very similar diseases and occurred in port cities, it. Jan 11, 2019 he founded dickinson college, advocated for public education for women, and was a staunch abolitionist. The vast majority of them died of yellow fever, making the epidemic in the city of 50,000 people one of the most severe in united states history. His untiring courage in caring for the sick almost led to his own death by yellow fever. A fresh look at benjamin rush and the 1793 yellow fever. Of benjamin s half sister, it is known that she married and produced progeny, but. Famous philadelphia patriot, doctor, and public figure who treated many patients during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic.
Unfortunately, he failed to keep accurate records of his cases. Yellow fever resourcesthe historical society of pennsylvania offers a wide range of sources from original letters to prominent members involved in the epidemic such as dr. I have formerly said that there was but one fever in the world. Benjamin rushs most popular book is medical inquiries and observations upon the diseases of t. Benjamin rush was the only person to leave a record of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia. The other physicians fled the city when all known remedies and the best medical treatments failed. Letters of benjamin rush princeton university press. Rush on the yellow fever the classics of medicine library. Philadelphia was the medical capital of the new republic. Letters from benjamin rush to his wife, julia, during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia form a substantial part of the correspondence. In 1783, he helped the presbyterians found dickinson college, where he also served as a trustee. In 1787, as a member of the pennsylvania convention, he ratified the united states constitution and also framed a constitution for pennsylvania.
The yellow fever epidemic historical society of pennsylvania. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. Benjamin rush, to visuals of philadelphia from the time of yellow fever, as well as a list of all persons admitted to bush hill hospital during the epidemic. Benjamin rush by yellow fever patients, as well as patients family. Two books make the case for the greatness of phillys. He writes to john adams, franklin, jefferson, witherspoon, and a host of others. During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, 5,000 or more people were listed in the official register of deaths between august 1 and november 9. Rush 174518 first announced to the in early september, 1793. From early august until november of that year, it claimed the lives of between 4000 and 5000 residents of philadelphia, or about onetenth of the population. Two fascinating series of letters chronicle the failures of the hospital service in the revolutionary war and the philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793. He survived the yellow fever epidemic of the 1790s while providing free treatment to philadelphians, and he. Of the heroic men who signed the declaration of independence, dr.
While benjamin rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about john adams, thomas jefferson, and benjamin franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. The only full biography of benjamin rush, an extraordinary founding father and americas leading physician of the colonial erawhile benjamin rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about john adams, thomas jefferson, and benjamin franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. Rush served as board member and president of numerous societies and organizations that were influential and crucial in the young countrys history. Yet, he was a propelling force in what culminated in the declaration. Rush died in 18, just as his former pupil, charles caldwell. Benjamin rush has 80 books on goodreads with 2690 ratings. Benjamin rush, the father of american psychiatry, was the first to believe that mental illness is a disease of the mind and not a possession of demons.
Books by benjamin rush author of medical inquiries and. In this letter to his sister, written during the yellow fever epidemic, dr. He also recruited richard allen, absalom jones, and other blacks to help him attend the sick during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Issues and controversies in american history, and world book online. Politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america nlm. When rush first recognized yellow fever in philadelphia, conventional treatment consisted largely of supportive therapy with bland diet, cool fluids, rest, and perhaps mild stimulants or a dose of peruvian bark. Yellow fever decimates philadelphia history of vaccines.
Rushs therapeutic theories were severely tested during the philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793, which struck harder than any of the six such epidemics before it. Rush believed that african americans were not as susceptible to the yellow fever. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading rush. Stephen girard twelve things you may not know about stephen girard explains one of americas greatest rags to riches story. Rushs controversial practices during the philadelphia yellow fever epidemics in 1793, 1794, and 1797, together with. Benjamin rush to his sister, philadelphia, september 18, 1793 courtesy national library of medicine. Benjamin rush first published his account of philadelphias 1793 yellow fever epidemic in 1794. Rachel, to whom benjamin was closest, died during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. The only full biography of benjamin rush, an extraordinary founding father and americas leading physician of the colonial era while benjamin rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about john adams, thomas jefferson, and benjamin franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. Professor of the institutes, and of clinical medicine, in the university of pennsylvania.
Benjamin rush surely deserves high rank for allaround versatility. Rush was the first to identify the illness as yellow fever. In addition to putting his life on the line literally by. Benjamin rush quotes author of medical inquiries and. Known and respected by many of the founding generation, benjamin rush treated illnesses such as yellow fever and smallpox, putting himself at great risk to do so. Benjamin rush one of the most respected and celebrated doctors in philadelphia. Rush, benjamin named the father of american psychiatry by the american psychiatry association, benjamin rush was born in 1745 and spent his life in an avid pursuit of knowledge. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson this fictional diary is the story of mattie, a teenager who lives in philadelphia at the time of the yellow fever epidemic that took the lives of up to this is the true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of centered in philadelphia. Benjamin rush linked the epidemic to a shipment of coffee beans left to rot on the arch street wharf. Benjamin rush account of the bilious remitting yellow fever. Politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america. Together with an inquiry into the proximate cause of fever.
When a yellow fever epidemic struck philadelphia in 1793, leading to 4,000 deaths, rush s patients died in large numbers. The subject of benjamin rush and the yellow fever has been a co versial one ever since dr. First cases of bilious fever on the 5th of august, i was requested by dr. Aug 19, 2018 of the heroic men who signed the declaration of independence, dr. During these years, rush also began his lifelong habit of regularly making entries in his commonplace book, including notes that later afforded the only written eyewitness account of the 1762 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia. Revolution, madness, and benjamin rush, the visionary doctor who became a founding father kindle edition by fried, stephen. Benjamin rush, a well known and largely beloved doctor at. Benjamin rush s most popular book is medical inquiries and observations upon the diseases of t. Letter from benjamin rush to julia stockton rush describing the symptoms of yellow fever and noting that all common remedies have failed. Benjamin rush, signer of the declaration of independence and leading medical mind of the day, wrote to richard allen and absalom jones and implored them to step in and help the sick. An account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year 1793. In 1793, philadelphia suffers a catastrophic yellow fever epidemic. He had used his favorite treatments of blood letting and purges in an attempt to cure them, and had few. And, my thoughts on fever 1793 laurie halse andersons, novel for young readers.
Rush on the yellow fever the classics of medicine library benjamin rush on. His classic work, observations and inquiries upon the diseases of the mind, published in 1812, was the first psychiatric textbook printed in the united states. Containing an account of the bilious and remitting and intermitting yellow fever,as it appeared in philadelphia in the year 1794. American statesman and physician benjamin rush, who treated afflicted patients during the philadelphia epidemic, provided the first clinical description of dengue in his account of the bilious, remitting fever, which was published in 1789. Powell, in bring out your dead philadelphia, 1949, shows rushs dedicated but vehement behavior in the philadelphia yellow fever epidemic rushs psychiatry is summarized in shryocks the psychiatry of benjamin rush, in american journal of psychiatry, 101 1945, 429432. Benjamin rush described the deep and universal distress in philadelphia. The benjamin and julia stockton rush papers hold letters and writings that focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and.
Hundreds of people became sick with the terrifying disease that caused fever, chills, vomiting, and jaundiced skin. Rush the private individual is revealed in the letters to his wife. Providence has in fact so established the order of things as that most evils are the means of producing some good. From thomas jefferson to benjamin rush, 23 september 1800 skip navigation. December 24, 1745 april 19, 18 was a signer of the united states declaration of independence and a civic leader in philadelphia, where he was a physician, politician, social reformer, humanitarian, and educator as well as the founder of dickinson college. Four of the first 5 patients rush saw treated in this way died. Benjamin rush responds to yellow fever as told by the. His classic work, observations and inquiries upon the diseases of the mind, published in 1812, was the first. Politics overshadowed the 18th century yellow fever too. The prominent doctor of the time, benjamin rush, quickly identified the illness as yellow fever as more fell victim to its grasp. Benjamin rush and his unique and controversial role in americas worst public. Benjamin rush responds to yellow fever as told by the historical society of pennsylvania. Politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america january 17, 2019 circulating now collections, exhibitions, news 5 comments ashley bowen, phd is guest curator of politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america, the national library of medicine online exhibition and companion onsite special display that launched january 11th.
The yellow fever letters were very intentionally combined with the first page of the volume stating, notes and letters addressed to benjamin rush during the prevalence of the yellow fever in philadelphia in the year 1793. It contained the following lines, which proclaimed his basic view on the causes of disease. Product an account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year 1793. The only full biography of benjamin rush, an extraordinary founding father and americas leading physician of the colonial era. Benjamin rush, a prominent physician, signer of the declaration of independence, and opponent of hamiltons politics, emerged as the figurehead for the faction of physicians who believed the epidemic developed from miasma, or impure air, in philadelphia. Diverse and talented, he signed the declaration of independence in 1776, became a member of the continental congress and discovered the cure for yellow fever, and was. In medicine, he was known as the american hippocrates, and reformed medical training, revolutionized the treatment of mental illness, and saved many philadelphians from the yellow fever epidemic. Benjamin rush university of pennsylvania health system. Full of flavor and zest, this collection of over 650 letters, twothirds of them never printed before, is a companion piece to rush sautobiography. In 1793, the city of philadelphia was beset by an epidemic of yellow fever 3. Thomas jefferson and medicine, meriwether lewis, lucy marks, benjamin rush, medicine and medical equipment taken by the corps of discovery thomas jefferson believed that colonial medicine was based on theory, rather than hard science, and strongly disapproved of the medical continue reading. Free lesson benjamin rush 174518 the fourth of seven children born to quaker parents, benjamin rush was the most famous physician of his time.
Mosquitoes the usual attendants of a sickly autumn were uncommonly numerous. Shortly after the passage was published, rush notes, matthew clarkson 17331800, the mayor of philadelphia, wrote a response to the printer of the paper. Rush s father died when rush was 6 years old, and rush was soon put. John mitchell of urbana, virginia, detailing his experiences with yellow fever from 1737 to 1742. In 1812 he published a book on diseases of the mind. American medicine and preparation for the lewis and clark. By august 25, universal terror, as described by carey, began spreading like wildfire through philadelphia and many fled the city. Benjamin rush united states statesman and physician. There are also a few book recommendations if youre feeling really ambitious. He survived the yellow fever epidemic of the 1790s while providing free treatment to philadelphians, and he served as counsel to lewis and clark before their expedition. I found it ill with a fever of a bilious kind, which terminated with a yellow skin in death on the 7th of the same month. Benjamin rush may not be a household name, but the young signatory of the declaration of independence lead a remarkable life. From thomas jefferson to benjamin rush, 23 september 1800. Benjamin rush responds to yellow fever one of the most difficult concepts for students to grasp when studying the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 is why philadelphias doctorsamong the most accomplished in north americafailed to understand the diseases origin and method of transmission.
The yellow fever letters were very intentionally combined with the first page of the volume stating, notes and letters addressed to benjamin rush during the prevalence of the yellow fever. Arch street ferry, philadelphia, in the city of philadelphia, engraving by william russell birch, philadelphia, 1800 courtesy library of congress, prints and photographs division. In 1762, he wrote his celebrated observations on yellow fever. A collection of quotes and sayings by benjamin rush on yellow fever, medical, freedom, books, healthcare, writings, biography, society, liberty and constitution. Rush recorded his thoughts an account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year 1793. Benjamin rush yellow fever founding fathers public health bestselling author philadelphia einstein politics french a fresh look at benjamin rush and the 1793 yellow fever epidemicstephen fried youtube the politics of it. Rush family papers, 17481876 university of pennsylvania.
Benjamin rush delivered his lecture on the practice of physic many times during the early 1770s. Mar 27, 2017 if you havent had enough history for one day, be sure to check out the references below. Benjamin rush and the philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Benjamin rush, an account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in philadelphia, in the year 1793. A more detailed list of material, including a complete list of correspondents is available in the repository. The medical community disagreed on the causes and treatment for yellow fever. In 1881 carlos finlay, a cuban doctor, argued that mosquito bites caused yellow fever. Benjamin rush and the state of medicine in 1803 gateway. Yellow fever in philadelphia benjamin rush libguides at. Often, a grain of calomel, with or without a grain of the vegetable laxative jalap, was prescribed. They will use the letters to understand yellow fever victims experiences, and dr.
Benjamin rush, a prominent philadelphia physician and signer of the declaration of independence, split from many of his medical peers over the suspected origins and best treatment of yellow fever. Publicized because some didnt want capital in philadelphia. Doctors, politicians, and the people of philadelphia used the 1793 yellow fever epidemic to. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Unless we put medical freedom into the constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an undercover dictatorship to restrict the art of healing to one class of men and deny equal privileges to others. One of seven children, benjamin rush was born in byberry township, outside of philadelphia, on january 4, 1746.
By the 1780s rush was perhaps the most famous doctor in america, but people had begun to question his methods. Benjamin and julia stockton rush papers digital collections. A companion digital exhibit, malignant fever, curated by mandy cooper, provides more information about rush and includes additional resources for understanding the 1793 outbreak. Laurie halse andersons fever, 1793 is a novel about a fourteenyearold girl named matilda mattie cook who comes of age during the infamous yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia in 1793. As a doctor, rush mayve overused bloodletting and purging. The benjamin and julia stockton rush papers hold letters and writings that focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and the medical department of the continental army. Rebecca, who had moved with her second husband to harrisburg, died five years later. During the yellow fever epidemic of the 1790s he often saw more than one hundred patients a day and published an account of his findings, an account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year.
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