This article originated from the Alexandria (VA) Herald Newspaper and was published in many cities from Charleston, S.C., to Trenton, N.J. Col. Hugh Phelps, builder of the Phelps-Tavenner House on Camden Avenue in south Parkersburg, was a victim of the “sickly season.” (Photo Provided)

THE SICKLY SEASON by Diana Hill

A disease now referred to as “The Sickly Season,” raged in our area during the summer and fall of 1822 and 1823. It was described at the time as The Fever, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Bilious Fever, Typhoid, or The Summer Epidemic. No definitive identification has been made, though malaria symptoms seem to be most often described. All surrounding counties were seriously affected. It was said that in Marietta’s population of 1200, 500 people were sick and 70 died in the summer and fall of 1822. What was this disease? What were its symptoms? What was available to help the victims? These questions were answered by Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth, who lived through it and treated the sick.

Dr. Hildreth wrote extensively about the disease in an 1824 article, “Notes on the Epidemic Fever as it Appeared in Marietta, Ohio and its Vicinity, in the years 1822 and 1823,” published in the Philadelphia Journal of Medical and Physical Sciences. All following quotes are taken from this article.

Dr. Hildreth begins by explaining the state of the weather and the odd behavior of animals and insects. The years 1820 and 1821 were very dry. By the fall of 1822, the Ohio River was the lowest they had seen. It was stagnant, covered with scum and foam, and smelled terrible. The summer had been windy, and combined with the drought, made for an abundance of insects, especially caterpillars whose nests and webs covered the trees, making them white. Grasshoppers destroyed fields of oats and grass. “Towards autumn the country was overrun with gray squirrels. They travelled in such immense numbers, that whole fields of Indian corn were destroyed. No obstacles obstructed their course; often passing through, or over the houses of the inhabitants.” During these odd happenings, the disease began.

Throughout the worst of the epidemic in 1822, Dr. Hildreth cared for 600 cases himself between July 1 and the end of November. Death rates were one in every 16 cases. On Sept. 15, 1822, a public meeting was held in Marietta to assign committees to visit the sick and supply their needs. September 21 was a city-wide day of fasting and prayer.

Symptoms as described by Dr. Hildreth: Victims would feel ill two or three days before the actual attack, then suffer chills, high fever, headache over the eyes, and joint pain, all lasting 48-72 hours. Usually the patient had a short break after the first 18-24 hours. If this break came with much perspiration before the second wave began, that was a good sign. Nausea and vomiting after the “intermittent” phase was common and, if “heavy sighing” was present, these cases were mostly fatal. Eyes and skin often became yellow which sometimes ended with a coma and death. The arms and legs were extremely cold “requiring the consistent attention of nurses to keep them warm.” In September and October, 1822, dysentery often followed the first days of the fever. When this happened, the disease was usually fatal. All ages were affected. Most deaths occurred on the 4th, 7th and 9th days of the illness.

To continue.

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Diana Hill, a retired Wood County educator, is secretary of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society.

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.