The hidden cause

From Petersham Center Cemetery, Petersham, MA:

In memory of
Doctor John Flint,
member of the M.M. Society,
who died of spotted fever
Feb 27th 1810 AET. 31
This spot of earth envelopes the remains
of a man, whose constant + unremitted
endeavors were uniformly, + indefa-
tigably exerted to meliorate the con-
dition of suffering humanity; and
while actually engaged in investigating
the hidden causes + obviating the dead
-ly tendancy of a novel insidious, + des-
tructive malady, fell a victim to its
banefull influence.
In the meridian of life, + in the
morning of usefullness, after an ill-
ness of but nine hours, he was sud-
denly swept to the grave.
As an husband + parent, he was
kind tender, + affectionate; as a
neighbor benevolent; as a man, ir-
reproachable; + as a friend inestimable
Also
Lydia, AE 8 years who died Feb 27
and
Sally, AE 2 years who died March 1
1810
The same dreadfull disease which robbed a
flourishing + happy fammily of a husband +
father, snatched from the mother's bleeding
bosom these blooming children.