Gelston A L, Jones T C
J Infect Dis. 1977 Dec;136(6):813-21. doi: 10.1093/infdis/136.6.813.
An epidemic of thyphus fever in New York City in 1847 that was associated with massive immigrations from Ireland is described by review of the records of 138 cases admitted to The New York Hospital during a seven-week period. Medical understanding of epidemic diseases, of typhus, and of therapeutics is examined. Most patients (80%) acquired the disease during passage, but 20% of the cases resulted from secondary spread in New York. The illness was characterized by high fever, headache, myalgias, and loss of appetite. Complications, most commonly central nervous system dysfunction and secondary bacterial infections, occurred in 29% of the cases. The mortality rate was 11%. Therapy was directed at cleansing the bowel and diaphoresis. Bleeding was not employed. In spite of mistaken concepts about epidemic diseases, measures were employed that controlled spread of the disease.
通过回顾纽约医院在七周内收治的138例病例记录，描述了1847年纽约市发生的一场与大量爱尔兰移民相关的斑疹伤寒热疫情。对流行病、斑疹伤寒和治疗学的医学理解进行了研究。大多数患者（80%）在乘船途中感染该疾病，但20%的病例是在纽约继发传播所致。该疾病的特征为高热、头痛、肌痛和食欲不振。29%的病例出现并发症，最常见的是中枢神经系统功能障碍和继发性细菌感染。死亡率为11%。治疗方法是清理肠道和发汗。未采用放血疗法。尽管对流行病存在错误观念，但所采取的措施控制了疾病的传播。
