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Cholera

Cholera

Collection: Pandemics, Society, and Public Health, 1517–1925    Volumes    Cholera

The archival sources in this volume chart the influence of cholera in the UK throughout the nineteenth century (although it also contains some documents relating to the disease from the twentieth century).  Cholera is an infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It spreads through contaminated water and food, leading to severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Originally, cholera was endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Due to increased global trade throughout the nineteenth century, the disease spread to Europe. Cholera was responsible for mass mortality in the UK and Ireland, particularly throughout the early to mid-nineteenth century. Britain experienced its first major epidemic in 1832. A further outbreak occurred in the late 1840s. The connection between contaminated water and the spread of the disease was eventually discovered. This led the British state to implement vast improvements in sanitation and public infrastructure.

The documents within this collection were sourced from four leading UK archives: The National Archives, British Library, University College London, and London Metropolitan Archives. A complete item listing for this collection can be found here.

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CHADWICK/146-2181/1844: Correspondences Between Sanitary Reformer, Thomas Southwood Smith and Edwin Chadwick

Date:1830-1853
Contributor:University College London
Identifier:73754-A40
Archive Reference(s):CHADWICK/146-2181/1844

7560.b.53: Evidence of Facts Taken By The British College of Health in Cases of Cholera, 1831-1832

Date:1831-1848
Contributor:British Library
Identifier:73754-A72
Archive Reference(s):7560.b.53.

Maps 46840.(21.): Map of the Progress of the Cholera in Asia, Europe, and Africa

Date:1831-1831
Contributor:British Library
Identifier:73754-A89
Archive Reference(s):Maps 46840.(21.)

PC 1/4395: Board of Health and Cholera

Date:1831-1831
Contributor:The National Archives
Identifier:73754-A26
Archive Reference(s):PC 1/4395

COL/CC/HEB/01/001: Records of The City of London Board of Health (Number One) - 31 October 1831 to 12 January 1832

Date:1831-1832
Contributor:London Metropolitan Archives
Identifier:73754-A111
Archive Reference(s):COL/CC/HEB/01/001

RB.23.a.36357: Observations on Cholera Made During a Visit To Sunderland, Undertaken By Direction of The Birmingham Town Infirmary Board of Health By George Parsons

Date:1831-1832
Contributor:British Library
Identifier:73754-A82
Archive Reference(s):RB.23.a.36357

RB.23.a.32404: The History of The Contagious Cholera By James Kennedy

Date:1832-1832
Contributor:British Library
Identifier:73754-A79
Archive Reference(s):RB.23.a.32404

7560.c.68: A Brief Reply to Dr. Williams's Treatise on Cholera Morbus

Date:1832-1832
Contributor:British Library
Identifier:73754-A85
Archive Reference(s):7560.c.68.
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