A Treatise on the Plague and Yellow Fever With an Appendix, containing histories of the plague at Athens in the time of the Peloponnesian War; at Constantinople in the time of Justinian; at London in 1665; at Marseilles in 1720

This volume offers a sweeping survey of two of humanity’s most feared epidemics—the plague and yellow fever—drawing together ancient accounts, biblical references, and the latest medical thinking of its era. The author begins by tracing the origins of the “true” plague, examining its appearance in distant lands, its alleged links to climate and moral conduct, and the contentious debate over whether it spreads by contagion. Detailed sections then explore practical measures for prevention and the limited remedies available to physicians of the time.

The second half turns to yellow fever, presenting a comparative analysis of symptoms, historic outbreaks across the United States since the late 18th century, and the same lingering question of contagion versus other causes. An extensive appendix enriches the narrative with vivid excerpts from Thucydides, Procopius, and contemporary observers of past pandemics, giving listeners a vivid window into how societies have grappled with these deadly scourges.