Cholera: Impetus for Reform Flashcards
When was the first two epidemics and how many killed?
1831-2 = 32,000 deaths and 1848-9 = 63,000
Where did cholera come from and how many massive epidemics were there?
From Asia and four epidemics
When was the last two epidemics and how many killed?
1853-4 = 20,000 deaths and 1866-7 = 14,000
Why did cholera have bigger impact on public and legislators?
The high percentages of fatalities an speed cholera would strike
In what yet were there 30 recorded cholera phobia riots?
1832
The riots were not directed at authorities but what fears?
Medical student stealing bodies for anatomy classes
Doctors murdering cholera victims
Victims buried hastily
What theories were suggested about cholera?
Contagionist theory - spread by contact, Miasmic theory - ‘miss mic of filth’ (infected air), 1931 the lancet journal - Jews rubbed self with ointment and Prayers
How did the government react?
Government had to take action against cholera, in 1831 cholera fast approaching the gov sent two medical commissioners to st perteraburg to asses situation
What did the commissioners to st Petersburg result in?
Temporary board of health
What did boat of health do?
advised local gov areas to set up own boards of health (grass root level)
Suggested local boards should include mag, clergyman and medical men
Advised issue
What advice did boat if health give?
Houses whitewashed
Cholera people put in quarantine
Food/flannel clothing to the poor
Have remedies eg bleeding leeches etc
What did local boards do?
They were frightened, there were inspectors who submit reports this tended to be info gathering rather than disease presentation
What problems did local boards have?
Legality was problem - what rights did they have to insist people operate with then? In 1832 temporary ‘cholera acts’ once first epidemic died down they were disbanded
What did John snow think?
Cholera was waterborne
What did John snow publish in 1849?
‘On the mode of communication of cholera’
