Cholera

Question 1

Why was cholera feared in the 19th century?

Answer 1

• Killed quickly and on a large scale
• Affected all social classes
• Preventative measures didn’t work
• All existing theories could not explain cholera’s causes

Question 2

What hypothesis did John Snow test during the cholera outbreak in Soho?

Answer 2

• Systematic study of small area in London (Soho)
• Cholera transmitted through contaminated water
• All got disease from same water pump in Broad Street

Question 3

Why didn’t Snow’s findings immediately change public health policies?

Answer 3

• People still believed in long-established theories
• Did not believe water could carry disease

Question 4

What discovery helped validate Snow’s cholera findings?

Answer 4

• Pasteur’s germ theory
• Broke harmful chain of continuity and caused lasting change
• Important individual needs another brilliant individual to make a breakthrough