BIO

Hi, I'm Ayanna Nesbeth. I am currently an undergraduate student at Florida State University, a humanities major on the premed track and one day hope to pursue a career in medicine.

Beware of The Yellow Jack: Yellow Fever Epidemic in Tallahassee, FL 1841

Abstract

The 1841 Yellow Fever epidemic in Tallahassee, Florida was a distressing event that affected the city's population and infrastructure. The outbreak began in the summer months and quickly spread throughout the community, causing widespread illness and death. Symptoms of the disease included fever, headache, jaundice, and vomiting, and it was particularly deadly for the elderly and young children. The epidemic overwhelmed local healthcare facilities and caused panic among the residents. Despite efforts to contain the outbreak, it continued to spread and ultimately resulted in significant loss of life and damage to the community. The exact cause of the epidemic is not well- documented; public officials at the time believed the epidemic was caused by contaminated water, mosquitoes, and gases from hot marshes. The event significantly impacted the city's s development and serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of infectious disease outbreaks. In our research, we go back 200 years in Tallahassee's past, by reading limited works of literature by historians who specialize in Antebellum Tallahassee history. From these sources, we gained knowledge on how Doctors would diagnose and treat Yellow Fever, how schools and businesses navigated during that tough time, and the culture surrounding the disease.

Keywords: Yellow Fever Tallahassee