Second Cholera Pandemic, Fumigating Streets, 1832

Fumigating streets against cholera with tar, Exeter, 1832. The second cholera pandemic (1829-1851) reached London and Paris in 1831. In London, the disease claimed 6, 536 victims and came to be known as King Cholera'. In 1832, cholera, which had been erupting all across Europe, reached Exeter. The only known documentation of this event was written by Thomas Shapter, one of the medical doctors present during the epidemic. Although much is known about the mechanisms behind the spread of cholera, this has not led to a full understanding of what makes cholera outbreaks happen some places and not others. Lack of treatment of human feces and lack of treatment of drinking water greatly facilitate its spread. Bodies of water have been found to serve as a reservoir, and seafood shipped long distances can spread the disease

Picture No

12696170

Media ID

47671528

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3545px x 3975px (4.7MB)

Credit

Wellcome Images/Science Source/Mary Evans