Originally published in 1976, this is the account of British society’s response to the threat of disease. It is the story of an administrative fight to exclude the disease by quarantine and to persuade commerce and working-class people to observe carefully thought-out regulations. The story of one of failure – of men hampered by lack of information, lack of resources and lack of a convincing scientific explanation. Medical science failed to see that infected water supplies were the major carriers of the epidemic and failed to acknowledge saline infusion (the basis of successful modern treatment) when it was presented to them by an obscure local surgeon in Leith. The social structure of the medical profession was as much a barrier to scientific advance as the technical limitations of statistical method and microscope. These reactions are explained in terms of the expectations and the understanding of those involved as well as in terms of modern medical knowledge and sociological theory.

“[A] fusion of science, social, and medical history . . . fascinating . . . the understanding of and responses to cholera are covered in detail and with sensitivity” —The Victorian Web Discover the story of the disease that devastated the Victorian population, and brought about major changes in sanitation. Drawing on the latest scientific research and a wealth of archival material, Amanda J. Thomas uses first-hand accounts, blending personal stories with an overview of the history of the disease and its devastating after-effects on British society. This fascinating history of a catastrophic disease uncovers forgotten stories from each of the major cholera outbreaks in 1831–2, 1848–9, 1853–4 and 1866. Amanda J. Thomas reveals that Victorian theories about the disease were often closer to the truth than we might assume, among them the belief that cholera was spread by miasma, or foul air. “The book acts as a complete overview of cholera in Victorian Britain, taking a new, accessible approach to a topic previously covered predominately by academic researchers.” —Harpenden History

The story of Gideon Mack, faithless minister and unfaithful husband, who is rescued from an accident by someone who just may be Satan.