Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1122

WILLIAM CURRIE (1754-1828) A view of the diseases most prevalent in the United States of America, at different seasons of the year. J. & A. Y. Humphreys 1811 240 pp. 22 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 1121

One of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Physicians and a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, Currie's place in American medical history stems largely from his heated disagreements with Benjamin Rush (see No. 1065 ff.) as to the best method of containing the yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia in 1797 and 1798. Rush believed the disease to be of domestic origin and that the use of mercurials and bleeding was the most efficacious remedy, while Currie thought the disease to be imported and was averse to bleeding. The controversy resulted in a great reluctance on the part of the citizenry to seek medical aid and a subsequent high mortality rate. Besides the present work on general medicine, Currie wrote a number of books and pamphlets on yellow fever.

See Related Record(s): 1065

Cited references: Austin 608; Cushing C658