The Strangers' Fever, 31 



off, but ere the spot was hidden from view that had 

 witnessed so many pleasing occurrences of your 

 youthful days, I could not but glance behind me at 

 the quiet scene, and, as I ascended the hill, repeat 

 to myself the old lines beginning 



" Now love in this lone little spot with a maid, 

 How blest he could live and how calm he could die." 



C. A. D. 



Before the close of the summer '* Strangers' Fever,"" 

 as it was called, made its appearance in Charleston. 

 The cause of this Southern scourge naturally claimed 

 his earnest attention. Dr. David Ramsay, the histo- 

 rian, wrote in 1800 ; " The disputes about the origin 

 of Yellow Fever, which have agitated the Northern 

 States, have never existed in Charleston. There is- 

 but one opinion among the physicians and inhabi- 

 tants, viz ; that the disease is neither imported nor 

 contagious." As this was, almost the unanimous 

 opinion of the Medical Society, the rigid enforcement 

 of the quarantine laws was not insisted upon. But 

 the Pastor of St. John's did not regard the question 

 as finally settled. He had taken part at the North 

 in the vexed question, and now, under the tutorage 

 of a member of his congregation. Dr. Benjamin 

 Strobel, he studied more closely the history, nature^ 

 and treatment of the disease. He noted the course 

 of treatment pursued b}^ this successful practitioner,, 

 and before long, circumstances put his knowledge to 

 the test. He tells us : 



" The first summer after my settlement in Charles- 

 ton, the yellow fever made its appearance there, and 



