98 HISTORY OF OHIO* 



dull pain, which soon terminated in a spasm, or a cramp of the 

 stomach. This was quickly followed by violent efforts to vom- 

 it, which continued for four, five, six or seven days; or until 

 death closed the scene. If the patient recovered it was only to 

 receive at no very distant period, another shock, equally terri- 

 fic and appalling. The geographical range of this fell disease, 

 was confined mostly to the barrens. 



The diagnosticks between this disease, and the Cholera 

 Morbus, was the obstinate constipation of the bowels from first 

 to last. Many treatises have been written concerning the dis- 

 ease, but as yet, our knowledge of either its causes or cure is 

 imperfect. Where the cattle are kept from wild grass, this dis- 

 ease is never found. It is now no longer known, only in his- 

 tory, we believe. 



The description of Autumnal diseases, as just given, has been 

 without variation; except in the violence of the symptoms in 

 any of the succeeding years, until 1823. 



In 1813 and 14, the disease, which prevailed as an awful 

 epidemic, in these two years, was not peculiar to the Western 

 country. We mean the disease named in some sections of the 

 United States — " pneumonia typhoides" — or " typhus pleurisy;" 

 in other sections, pneumonia ^ biliosa" — but in this country 

 called, the " cold plague." 



Heavy and long continued rains, commenced about the four- 

 teenth of November 1822, and continued almost daily, until the 

 first day of the ensuing June. 



It was computed by some persons, that the country lying be- 

 tween the Scioto and Miami rivers, had the twentieth part of 

 its surface covered, during the months, of March, April and 

 May, with water. A fever commenced its ravages, and con- 

 tinued its course, during the months of June, July, August, 

 September, and during the early part of October. It was of 

 the remittent and continued type, affecting more or less, many, 

 perhaps, nineteen twentieths of the people. No intermission 

 was noticed in the course of twenty-four hours, nor was the 

 low country of the Scioto and Miami, the only location of this 

 form of fever. In north latitude between 39° and 40°, this dis- 



