Killer Diseases in Britain c1750-1900

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Cholera

Cholera first arrived in Brtain in 1831. Although cholora had been known in India for many centuries prior to it reaching us.

It was frighting as people could day within a single day and it spread so vastly that thousands of unfortunate people died within weeks.

What diseases made people vulnerable?

Cholera - spread through bacteria in food and water.

Diptheria - spread through tiny droplets when coughing/sneezing and/or contact with an infected person.

Smallpox - spread through touch, or sneezing/cough droplets.

Tuberculosis - spread through coughing/sneezing

Typhoid - spread through bacteria lingering in food/water and/or food infected by flies.

Treating Cholera

-burning clothes/bedding of the dead person(s)

-praying

-cleaning the house and scattering chloride of lime around (this was used in whitewash to make things look clean)

-smoking cigars

-using lucky charms

-burning barrels of tar or vinegar to create smoke in the streets

-making 'special mixtures' of liquids and pills that were supposed to cure all ills.

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