The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.
and no head of the department whatever, under the same circumstances, could have given universal satisfaction.[1]
From the time of his entrance into the Hospital Department, Dr. Morgan devoted every hour, and sacrificed every private interest to relieve the sick, and correct abuses. He was not justly chargeable with any neglect, and discharged his duties faithfully and well. Congress, however, was forced from the pressing situation of affairs and the misrepresentations and complaints circulated against him, excited in great measure it is believed by the contrivances of his enemies, to give way to the storm, and removed him unheard, to quiet the clamours of a strong political party.
- ↑ The sufferings of the troops in New Jersey from camp fever were very great. Dr. Rush informs us, that of those brought to Philadelphia in open wagons, many perished from hunger and exposure, and that a thousand or more died and were buried in our Potter's Field. In the Northern army, it is stated, that five thousand men had suffered from smallpox, between the 1st of April and 8th of August, at which latter date a General Order was issued prohibiting inoculation; but by February, 1777, the disease had made such head in every quarter, that Washington found it "impossible to keep it from spreading through the whole army in the natural way," and therefore "determined not only to inoculate all the troops of his command, but also all recruits as fast as they came to Philadelphia." (Sparks's Life, vol. ii.)
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