How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I've heard stories of a fever among the Santo Domingan refugees. They live close to Ball's Wharf, you know."
A doctor at the next table looked up from his backgammon board and interrupted the conversation.
"It is not just the refugees," the doctor said. "This morning I spoke with a colleague who was called to the Shewall home. Mary Shewall died soon after of a bilious fever, and one could hardly fault her character. There may well be a disease in the air again. Yellow fever." (4.18-4.19)
Though rumors are spreading at the coffeehouse, the doctor there interrupts and tries to correct the misinformation. Notice, though, that his is only one voice in a crowd. What does this tell us about the way in which public opinion is formed?
Quote #2
As I cleared the dirty mugs off the last table, Grandfather stood deep in conversation with Mr. Rowley. I motioned to Eliza.
"Isn't he a doctor?"
Eliza shook her head.
"Not a proper physician, but he sees sick folk and prescribes medicines. All the real doctors are down on Water Street. It's been a terrible day there. They say bodies are piling up like firewood." (9.16)
Mr. Rowley, the first doctor to visit the Cook house, isn't even an actual doctor. What does this tell us about the state of the medical profession in the eighteenth century?
Quote #3
"But Dr. Rush says yellow fever is spreading everywhere," Eliza said.
"Dr. Rush likes to alarm people," Mr. Rowley replied. "There is a great debate about this pestilence. Yesterday a physician I shall not name diagnosed yellow fever in an elderly woman. Her family threw her into the street. She died, but she didn't have yellow fever. It was all a mistake. I sue the diagnosis sparingly. And I assure you, there is no fever in this house." (9.27-9.28)
The debate about the illness is raging and there are two sides: the Rush camp, who believe in purging and bloodletting, and the French, who think bed rest is best. What are the consequences of a hasty diagnosis of yellow fever, at least according to Mr. Rowley?
Quote #4
"Her pulse is fast and strong," he said. "This is the crisis. She must be bled."
Dear God. "Won't that weaken her more?" I asked.
"Bunkum," Dr. Kerr said angrily. "Dr. Rush has proven that bleeding is the only way to save a patient this close to the grave." (10.16-10.18)
Dr. Kerr is the second doctor to visit the Cook house, and he's a follower of Dr. Benjamin Rush. Though Mother's pulse is fast and strong, he decides to bleed her. What would you do with Dr. Kerr's second opinion?
Quote #5
"You'll hear folks say that Dr. Rush is a hero for saving folks with his purges and blood letting. But I've seen different. It's these French doctors here that know how to cure the fever. I don't care if Dr. Rush did sign the Declaration of Independence. I wouldn't let him and his knives near me." (14.53)
Mrs. Flagg works at the hospital at Bush Hill, the one run by the French doctors. She violently disagrees with Dr. Rush, despite the fact that he's all big and important and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Quote #6
On the tenth morning, I was visited by a French doctor, Dr. Deveze. He did not carry a lancet or bowl. He seemed most concerned with the color of my eyes and tongue, and the temper of my pulse. He grunted with satisfaction. (15.9)
How are the treatments of the French doctors different from the ones prescribed by Dr. Rush?
Quote #7
"A few weeks ago, Dr. Benjamin Rush wrote to Reverend Allen asking for help."
"Reverend Allen from the Free African Society?"
"The same. The doctors thought us Africans couldn't get yellow fever. Rev. Allen said this was a chance for black people to show we are every bit as good and important and useful as white people. The Society organized folks to visit the sick, to care for them and bury them if they died." (22.53-22.55)
Why does Dr. Rush believe that black people can't get the fever? What are the consequences of his assumption?
Quote #8
"The price of jalap and tea has climbed to the clouds since the fever struck. If he really cared, he would charge a decent price instead of robbing the sick. Pharmacists and coffin makers are the only people who profit from this plague."
"Don't forget the thieves," I added. (24.14-24.15)
Don't forget that doctors and pharmacists are also in the business not just of science but of making money. Profit plays a very large role here.
Quote #9
"I don't like the thought of cutting them either, but it may be our only hope. Dr. Rush recommends it; he was bled himself when he was ill."
"But the French doctors say bleeding kills people. Think of all the patients you've seen who died after the doctors bled them. They didn't bleed me and I'm alive. Don't do it, Eliza." (25.34-25.35)
Why does Matilda have such a hard time convincing Eliza to trust the French doctors?
Quote #10
My eyes closed. I could see that clear January morning, the moment of release when the balloon floated above the rooftops. Thousands of voices cheered and screamed with delight. Nathaniel grasped my hand and we watched as the gold sphere ferried Monsieur Blanchard and his little black dog away on the wind. I thought all things were possible in heaven and on earth that day. (25.53)
While science refers to medicine, note that Blanchard's balloon is also a symbol of innovation and advancement. How are there different views of science at work in the book?