cholera

• • Industrial Revolution led to growth in cities
  • led to waste and improper sanitation and sewerage
  • cholera came to Britain in 1831
• • cholera believed to be spread by miasma
  • tried to be prevented by:
  • praying
  • burning clothes of victims
  • burning barrels of tar to remove bad air
• • there was a mass epidemic of cholera in 1854
  • John Snow was doctor who believed cholera spread by water and not miasma
• • John Snow investigated:
  • he plotted each death on map and saw those who had died all lived close to water pump
  • water pump used for drinking, cooking, cleaning
  • handle was removed from pump so it could not be used
  • there were no new cases of cholera after pump removed
  • cesspit near pump discovered to be leaking waste into water supply
• • Snow proved dirty water caused spread of cholera
  • however, people still believed disease was spread by miasma
  • this did not change until bacteria was discovered by Pasteur
  • Snow did not know bacteria in water was spreading cholera