38 History of an Epidemic Fever, 



Town, and the adjacent country, and now transmit 

 it to you. 



This fever commenced about the middle of July, 

 and continued until the beginning of November, 

 when the Bilious Cholic became the prevailing dis- 

 ease. It seldom proved mortal, and readily yielded 

 to proper treatment, though it was very liable to re- 

 lapse, even when the sensations of the patient had 

 evinced a sure return of health. 



Frederick-Town is situated in about 39| degrees 

 northern latitude, in a valley, through which a small 

 creek makes its way. The water is strongly impreg- 

 nated with limestone, and the soil is a rich calcareous 

 mould. The district of country, which is called Fre- 

 derick-County, is washed, on its south-west end, by 

 the Potowmack, and intersected by the river Mono- 

 easy, with its numerous tributary streams. The 

 Catoctin-Mountain runs through the western part of 

 it, in a north and south course, and it is diversified 

 by many ridges, in various directions. Its greatest 

 length is about 40 miles, and its breadth from 30 to 

 35 miles ; and, as might be expected in such an ex- 

 tensive tract of country, it contains all the different 

 species of soil. This county has been reputed one 

 of the healthiest, in the state of Maryland. 



As there was no meteorological account taken of 

 the weather, during the preceding month, or during 

 the prevalence of the epidemic disease, I can only 

 make a general remark on that subject. 



