The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.
not owing, in great measure, to the shameful proceedings of the surgeons in spreading the smallpox by inoculation among the soldiery in face of the enemy."[1]
A clergyman, a witness to their sufferings, forwarded a letter to General Washington at this time, describing the state of the sick at the lakes, in which he says, "Men of consideration do not hesitate to speak freely of first-rate characters as the authors of these calamities, some blaming the Congress, some the Surgeon-General of the Army, and some the Director of the Northern Department." That Dr. Morgan was in no way accountable for the mismanagement of the Northern Department and wants of the sick, there is abundant evidence to prove. He had long before acquainted Congress with their situation, and prayed for relief for them in vain, and although without authority in that department, had sent, at the earnest request of its Director, all he could spare from his own stores, as well as officers to assist them.
Having, by direction of General Washington, put the hos-
- ↑ This was done without fitting up an hospital in some retired spot for the reception of the inoculated only, and guarding it, in order to cut off all communication between the hospital and the troops, as had been pursued under like circumstances before Boston in the beginning of the war.
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