A prevalent disease

The Oil Fever – The Montreal Herald Jan 22, 1866

This disease which has of late been very prevalent in several townships on both sides of the border and south of us, has brok[en] out in Sherbrooke. The complaint is believed to have been brought there by some gentlemen who visited Bothwell a short time since. The symptoms are very decided; the patients are impressed with the belief that $100 invested in an oil company is quite sure to increase from four to ten fold in a few months.