[55] In the Life of Thomas Story, a celebrated preacher among the friends, there is an account of the distress of the city, in its infant state, from the prevalence of the yellow fever, in the autumn of 1699, nearly like that which has been described. I shall insert the account in his own words. “Great was the fear that fell on all flesh. I saw no lofty or airy countenance, nor heard any vain jesting to move men to laughter. Every face gathered paleness, and many hearts were humbled, and countenances fallen and sunk, as such that waited every moment to be summoned to the bar, and numbered to the grave.” The same author adds, that six, seven, and sometimes eight, died of this fever in a day, for several weeks. His fellow-traveller, and companion in the ministry, Roger Gill, discovered upon this occasion an extraordinary degree of christian philanthropy. He publicly offered himself, in one of the meetings of the society, as a sacrifice for the people, and prayed that “God would please to accept of his life for them, that a stop might be put to the contagion.” He died of the fever a few days afterwards.
[56] In the above accounts there is a deficiency of returns from several grave-yards of 163.
[57] From a short note in the register of the interments in the friends' burying-ground, it appears that the fever this year made its first appearance in the month of June. The following is a copy of that note: “12th of the 6th month (O. S.), 1741, a malignant yellow fever now spreads much.” Besides that note, there is the following: “25th of the 7th month (O. S.), 1741, many who died of the above distemper were persons lively, and strong, and in the prime of their time.”
[59] P. [5], [56], [180], and [323].
[60] Introduction to a Treatise on the Venereal Disease, p. 3. of the American edition.
[62] Lind on the Diseases of Hot Climates, p. 36 and 124.
[63] Cleghorn, p. 176.
[64] Diseases of Hot Climates, p. 123.