Using Local History To Understand National Themes: The Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia in 1793.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Pedagogical commentary and essay (Level 5 by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
OpenAlex W145667573 · doi:10.33043/th.28.1.14-21
What was done
The author describes a pedagogical approach using the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia as a localized case study for college American history courses to examine national-level themes.
What was found
The abstract presents no quantitative data or formal empirical evaluation. It outlines key thematic connections that can be taught using the epidemic, including the intersection of medicine and early Republic party politics, dynamics of race and gender in early American society, and constitutional tensions regarding presidential powers faced by George Washington during the outbreak.
Why it matters
It provides educators with a practical framework for integrating localized historical events into broad survey courses to engage undergraduate students in primary source analysis and discussion.
Limits
The record is a descriptive teaching essay without empirical student outcome measures, comparative educational trial data, or formal qualitative assessment.
Cited by
- supports During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, Jeffersonian Democrats favored extreme bloodletting techniques while Federalists favored baths and gentler treatments.