American Experience Season 19 Episode 5 The Great Fever

In American Experience season 19 episode 5, titled "The Great Fever," viewers are taken back to the summer of 1793 in Philadelphia, a bustling hub of commerce and politics that boasted the largest population in the United States at the time. The episode explores the devastating impact of the yellow fever epidemic that gripped the city that summer, killing over 5,000 people and leaving thousands more fleeing in panic.

The story is told through the eyes of a few key figures, including Dr. Benjamin Rush, a prominent physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence who works tirelessly to treat and contain the disease; black entrepreneur Richard Allen, who uses the crisis as an opportunity to build a following and strengthen the African American community's role in the city; and President George Washington, who is pressured to abandon the city but remains steadfast in his commitment to his duties.

"The Great Fever" paints a vivid portrait of a city brought to its knees by a merciless disease, revealing the various ways in which people responded to the crisis. We see wealthy families fleeing to the countryside, leaving behind their servants and the poor to fend for themselves, while others stayed in the city to care for the sick and dying. Hospitals and clinics were quickly overwhelmed, with doctors and nurses struggling to keep up with the influx of patients.

The episode also delves into the underlying social and political issues that exacerbated the epidemic, including poor sanitation practices and a lack of basic medical knowledge. It explores the tension between science and superstition, with many people at the time believing that the disease was spread by miasmas, or foul-smelling air, rather than by mosquitoes. We see how Rush's efforts to identify and treat the disease were met with skepticism, with many patients fearing his untested methods and some even accusing him of murder.

Despite the overwhelming tragedy and loss of life, "The Great Fever" demonstrates how the yellow fever epidemic helped to shape the city's future. It spurred the development of public health initiatives and helped to establish Philadelphia's reputation as a leading center for medical research. It also highlighted the growing role of African Americans in the city, who played a crucial role in caring for the sick and dying and helped to establish a black church that would become a major force for social and political change.

Overall, "The Great Fever" is a gripping and harrowing tale of a city brought to its knees by a deadly epidemic. It offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in American history, shedding light on the scientific, social, and political forces that shaped the nation's response to one of its greatest crises.