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The Historic New Orleans Collection

Yellow Fever in New Orleans

Grades 10–12

A historical illustration depicts two men performing a surgical procedure on a patient lying on a bed. One man holds a medical tool, while the other assists. A bowl labeled Ice Water is on a nearby table, suggesting use for anesthesia or cooling.

This lesson was designed to be an activity within a broader unit of study on infectious diseases, taking one to two 90-minute blocks to complete depending on the length of discussions. Students will read primary and secondary sources related to the impact of yellow fever on New Orleans, and will break into groups to discuss their findings. Students will complete a series of worksheets to solidify their understanding of the material. This lesson plan was created by Dr. Judy Dalgo, teacher at Ocean Springs High School, in collaboration with HNOC.

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A historical sanitary map of New Orleans, illustrating streets and areas with detailed notes. The map highlights the Mississippi Rivers meandering path through the city.

Yellow Fever Sanitary Commission Report

Yellow fever plagued New Orleans for much of the 19th century. This 1853 report details the effects of the disease on public health.

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