The role of Snow in medicine - 1853 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in The role of Snow in medicine - 1853 Deck (5)
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1
Q

Who was John Snow?

A

John Snow was the doctor responsible for discovering that cholera was a water-borne disease.

2
Q

How did Snow discover the cause of cholera?

A

Snow studied deaths from cholera and made a map of them. He traced the source of the outbreak to a water pump on Broad Street, London. As many of the victims of the outbreak lived near a water pump on Broad Street, Snow theorised that cholera could not be caused by miasma and was instead spread by contaminated water.

3
Q

What was done to reduce the spread of cholera?

A

1) Many thought it was caused by miasma, so tried to prevent it by cleaning up dirty streets.
2) In 1848, the first Public Health Act suggested that towns and cities provide clean water supplies. However, as it was not compulsory, its impact was limited.

4
Q

What was the opposition to Snow’s discovery of the cause of cholera?

A

Some doctors disagreed with Snow’s findings. Pasteur’s germ theory had not been published so Snow’s idea that cholera was transmitted through contaminated water, rather than through miasma could not be proven.

5
Q

How was the cholera outbreak of 1854 ended?

A

Snow asked for the handle of the Broad Street water pump to be removed, so people could not use it. The outbreak quickly ended, proving the disease had come from the water in the pump. It was later found that a cesspit had been leaking into the well.