Cate Study - Cholera - 1854

Question 1

In what year and period was the Cholera outbreak?

Answer 1

1854 - The Industrial period

Question 2

State some symptoms of Cholera

Answer 2

Heavy diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle - most cases resulted in death

Question 3

What did they think was causing Cholera?

Answer 3

Miasmas - yes, they still believed this!

Question 4

John Snow was …

Answer 4

London’s leading anaesthetist (someone who gives anaesthetic)
He gave Queen Victoria chloroform during the birth of her 8th child

Question 5

What did John Snow suggest about the causes of Cholera?

Answer 5

He suggested Cholera could not be transmitted by miasma, as it affects the gut, not the lungs. It was spread through dirty water, however there was no evidence to support this until 1854

Question 6

Name the street where Snow worked

Answer 6

Broad Street

Question 7

State 3 things Snow proved…

Answer 7

1) The pumps were contaminated and this is what caused the disease
2) No workers at the local brewery had died as the workers drank beer

Question 8

What did Snow’s work result in?

Answer 8

The handle of the Board Street pump being removed

2) A new sewer system was planned by Joseph Balzagette and completed in 1897

Question 9

What was the impact of Snow’s work?

Answer 9

1) Short-term = immediate impact as the pump handle was removed and deaths ceased
2) The general board of health still believed it was miasma and rejected Snow’s ideas
3) They admitted that if it was spread in the water, they would have to provide clean water which was very expensive