Cholera

A fresh approach to the history of Victorian Britain and the consequences of cholera for nineteenth century society. Applying fascinating, original research, the author follows outbreaks of cholera as they spread through the country during the 1830s to 1860s, while also describing the human stories behind the outbreaks.

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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 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 1831-3, 1848-9, 1853-4 and 1866.

Amanda 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.