1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak

Coordinates: 51°30′48″N 0°08′12″W / 51.51334°N 0.13667°W / 51.51334; -0.13667
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1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak
Part of 1846–1860 cholera pandemic
An old-fashioned water pump, painted black, with its handle removed, standing on a stone pedestal two steps above the sidewalk.
A replica pump commemorating the outbreak and John Snow's investigation of it.
Date1854
LocationSoho, London, UK
Coordinates51°30′48″N 0°08′12″W / 51.51334°N 0.13667°W / 51.51334; -0.13667
CauseCholera present within the pumping water.
Deaths616

The Broad Street cholera outbreak (or Golden Square outbreak) was an outbreak of cholera that happened in 1854 near Broad Street (now Broadwick Street) in Soho, London, England. The even happened during the worldwide 1846–1860 cholera pandemic. The outbreak caused the deaths of 616 people. It is best known for the physician John Snow's study of what caused it. He said that germ-contaminated water was the source of cholera. The common belief was that it was caused by particles in the air. This was referred to as "miasma".[1][2] His discovery led to changes in public health. It also caused changes to the construction of sanitation facilities in the mid-19th century.

References[change | change source]

  1. Eyeler, William (July 2001). "The changing assessments of John Snow's and William Farr's Cholera Studies". Sozial- und Präventivmedizin. 46 (4): 225–32. doi:10.1007/BF01593177. PMID 11582849. S2CID 9549345.
  2. Paneth, N; Vinten-Johansen, P; Brody, H; Rip, M (1998-10-01). "A rivalry of foulness: official and unofficial investigations of the London cholera epidemic of 1854". American Journal of Public Health. 88 (10): 1545–1553. doi:10.2105/ajph.88.10.1545. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 1508470. PMID 9772861.