Why do the women smell of vinegar in Fever 1793?

In "Fever 1793," the women smell of vinegar because they use it as a method to combat the unpleasant odors associated with the yellow fever epidemic. Vinegar was believed to purify the air and protect against disease, reflecting the limited medical understanding of the time. Additionally, it serves as a symbol of the desperation and resourcefulness of the characters as they navigate the crisis.