Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/117

The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.

subjoined statement of Dr. Græme that the laws then enacted were enforced. In this latter year it is mentioned that Patrick Baird, Chirurgeon, was appointed Port Physician.

In 1738 two vessels with passengers arrived with the "Palatine Fever," and created so much alarm that the Governor, in his message to the Assembly, informing them of the fact, adds "that the law of 1700 to prevent sickly vessels from coming into this government has been strictly put in execution."^[1]

A few months after this occurrence, it is recorded in the minutes of the House that a petition from Dr. Græme was presented, setting forth "that by order of several governors for upwards of twenty years past, he has served the public by visiting and reporting the state of sickly vessels arriving here, to the apparent risque of his own health and life, for which, with other services done by him for the public,^[2] he has never yet received any reward, and praying the house to take the same into consideration." The sum of £100 (currency) was

1. The masters were compelled to land the sick "at a convenient distance from the city, and to convey them, at their own expense, to houses in the country proper for their reception."
2. "Going a journey about Indian affairs."

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