Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-04-27
OBSERVATIONS ON THE CONVENTION
FEVER,


To You The, information, which more than
five years' residence in this state has
enabled me @ obtain, relative to The dis
eases which prevail 10 this country.
Yoer know ledge OF The fact, that ntvur
made any pretensions 10 the healing arr,
Will b ny only apology for 10 II ating
The sulect with scientific and professional
accuracy.
| shall therefore commence by re-
marking, that during the 'bres first years
oil my residence IN this country, no other
diseases prevailed except the summer
and aniumnsi ievers, common 10 fertile
countries il the sane latitude: such as
the Lntermitting, Renting and IRRa
matory Bilious Fevers. These were
by 10 means fatal or obstinate but weld
ed readily tn seasonabIe aud proper re.
NEEDLES. The first attacks for the sea-
sen, generally made their appearance
about the middle OF July, and very lew
new cases occurred, afer he middle al
October During the balance Of The
year, we enJ yed as much health as W
could reas 'uably desire.
Ii the winter of 1921, a new fever
made rs appearance, very much resem-
blNg what WAS commonly called the
Cold Plague, which ragged with such
violence IN lSl3-l4 IN Ken uck, a,,d
elsewhere. TINS disease still prevails
In some parts OF our coun ry, uncer the
name OF the Tyhhus Feper b. The
most malignant Fever which has appear
ed, and which has rsvaged the country
10 The most alarming extent, is, that
which broke out at Nandalia, among the
members OF the legislature, in the win
ter OF l822----25, and which, for disiinc.
tons sake, snail denomna'e the Con-
venhon Fever This fever attacks at
ali seasons of the year. | is nor exclu-
siyey couhucd to unhealthy sites. Il
RACES IN the high undplating prairie, and
amid The s,agnant ponds and lakes with
equal violence; though most prevalent
about li.'le io', MS and villages, and IL
that section OF The stare bordering on the
Onio river. / spares neither age nor
SIX, calling or profession. Ii knows no
Distinctions of high and low, rich and
DOOR: and even Doctors items sves
ave no, entirely escaped its deadly
rasp Males, however, are more sub
Ieet to it than fvmalrs; and those over
the age OF ~ enty one, than those under
hat age. Emi5ian!s from the south,
are also more liable To its attacks than
those from he north and east: yet when
ever il ks those OF the latter class,
it is almost certain death.
has ragged with unsbated fury, eve,
since II hrst made us appearance, carry
ing death and devastation in lis train
Humane and Eeneuoient Societies
have been formed throughout the state,
tor the purpose OF checking the progress
of this alarming epidemic, and affoi ding
reHef to the uhiortunate sufferers: but
alas the obslioacy of The disease, in ma
ny cases OF attack, bidding d. Gapce to
bic eHoits almost unavaiIing. We YET
indulge the hope, how ever, that in fo;ure
their excriions will be more eticciual.
How long this dreadful maiady will con-
tinue to be scourge of our country,
cannot positively determine: but if per-
mited to indulge conjecture on the sub
iect, am inclined (as ii frs; appeared
in the winteI) to think, Thai il will en-
tirely suhside abou! the beginning Of
Dog days, in August next.
Causes. The causes of the CoDvep-
ton Fever are so numerous and diversi
fed, that ii would be an almost endless
task TO ,enumeraie lheaI. | shall only
set down a few Of he principal ones,
with which you must be content, until
the theory OF this disease shall be better
understood. A desire TO eude the force
Of Heavens decree, In the sweat OF
thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou
return unto the ground" must be rank
edlas the primary cause of this fever
Other causes, such as disappointed ann
bilion; defea* in an elecliopeefing
seat, or to have the seat of government
removed; trip to Virginia with drove
OF horses; Insolvency; loss Of character
and reputation; desire to handle state
paper; fear OF being turned out of, and
the desire to get into office; dissa,is'ac-
ton with the country and desire to re-
move; idleness; want of employment,
or rather an aversion to il; unfortunate
speculalions an inordinate thirst for
money; and desire 10 live upon other
mems labor; nocturnai visit to ne
*rwo gentlemen--leaders of the conven-
ton party, in my hearing, assigned this in sub
stance as the reason of their being in favor OF
a convention. One of them remarked TINT