ned on the _Oswego_ in the late
spring of 1825.[136] He and sixty emigrants who came with him were
soon suffering from the disease of the country and had to rely on the
medical experience of Cary. Eight emigrants died[137] and by December,
Dr. Ayres was compelled to leave the colony. The climate was so
unhealthy that hardly any one escaped its pestilence.[138] When, in
addition, the poor housing conditions, the inadequate sanitation and
the scanty hospital supplies[139] are considered, it is remarkable
that so many escaped death.

Every ship[140] that brought emigrants meant more work for Cary. On
February 13, 1824,[141] one hundred and five emigrants arrived in the
ship _Cyrus_ and in less than a month every one was prostrate with the
fever.[142] "Astonishing," said Ashmun,[143] "that in this atmosphere
should exist causes so universal in their operation, as amongst all
the varieties of age, sex and habit, not to leave one in the whole
number without disease, and that in less than four weeks; and stranger
still, that the blast should be so tempered to the strength of the
constitution of every individual, as only to have swept off three
small children. Men may call these phenomena in human life, the
effects of the laws of nature; I choose to call them singular proofs
of the Providence of God over all his creatures."

When the brig _Hunter_ arrived, March 13, 1825, with 66 settlers,
nearly all of whom were farmers,[144] all were stricken during the
first month. Although Cary himself was confined to his house nursing a
severe injury, only a few children were fatally affected.[145]

Cary gratuitously spent about half of his time in caring for the sick
of the colony. This fact was a matter of course as no funds were
specially designated for this purpose. Cary was financially able to do
such a thing. He had defrayed no small share of his own expense[146]
in equipment for Africa, and when the colonists were in need of
medical aid, he spent much of his means in this direction.[147] In
1825 he still owned a house and lot near Richmond which he was
desirous of selling.[148]

Lott Cary was so occupied with caring for the sick that his
prospective trip to America in the spring of 1826 had to be
postponed.[149] He was also physician to Governor Ashmun. The governor
was very ill in May after an exposure of four hours in attempting to
save the schooner _Catherine_ from destruction. "The prescriptions of
our excellent and experie