"Perhaps no part of our country was more
subject to fever and ague, or 'Lake Fever,' as it was
called, than that along the River Thames. It was occasioned
by the stagnant swamps which lie a little distance from the
river on each side, and the unwholesomeness of the water
which the people are obliged to use. The fever began to rage
in September, and, during its progress, in almost every
family less or more were sick; and in some instances, every
member of the family was prostrated at the same time.
When I first visited a house I was usually presented with a
whisky bottle, and urged to partake of it as a preservative
against the fever; but I declined the beverage, and told
them I would drink water and tea, and we would see who
should have the better health. Though the fever raged
so that I could scarcely visit a family without seeing more
or less sick, I constantly traveled the country in health
until seized with the disease, but by timely remedies I
escaped with but two or three paroxysms. This is mentioned
to show the mistaken notion of many people, who suppose the
use of ardent spirits is a preventive of epidemic diseases.
It is believed that it induced them in nine cases out of ten
instead of preventing them."