Cholera Investigation

It is 1854. There is a terrible outbreak of cholera in the city of London. Strangely, the outbreak is centred in only a small area of the city, although the number of cases is clearly rising.

The City of London has turned to YOU and your team of scientists to solve things.

You have got to:

a) Work out where the cholera is coming from.

b) Suggest a solution to the problem.

c) Suggest how the epidemic could have started.

d) Present your findings to the important people in the City of London and clearly explain how your team have come to these conclusions.

Cholera is a water-borne disease – it is especially common when people drink polluted water.

The following information is all of the evidence that you have to go on.

Deaths from Cholera between June and August 1854

Area / Deaths June  July / Deaths July  August
Houses 1 / 40 / 80
Houses 2 / 83 / 88
Houses 3 / 20 / 77
Houses 4 / 88 / 74
Houses 5 / 2 / 68
Houses 6 / 1 / 60
Houses 7 / 98 / 106
Houses 8 / 3 / 4
Houses 9 / 1 / 0
Houses 10 / 3 / 17
Houses 11 / 3 / 2
Houses 12 / 2 / 2
Houses 13 / 1 / 0
Brewery / 2 / 3
Workhouse / 0 / 0
TOTAL DEATHS / 347 / 581

This is the only area of the city where cholera is causing serious problems. There have been a few isolated cases of cholera elsewhere in London.

Additional information.

All cases of cholera in London that have been outside of this district can be linked to a visit to this district: either on business, or meeting friends.

Residents of the workhouse stay within the compound for the major part

The brewers eat and drink at the brewery. They are a very rowdy bunch because they drink beer almost continuously

Water and sewerage information:

Cess pit 1 has been there for as long as anyone can remember

Cess pit 2 has been there for as long as anyone can remember

Well no. 1 has been there for 80 years and has given a good supply of water

Well no. 2 has been there for at least 300 years and has given a good supply of water

The water pump has been there for 28 years. It dried up at the end of July due to a very hot summer, so has not been used at all in August

River water is occasionally drunk by residents, but is not usually considered to be particularly good.

Water is not always boiled before consumption

Sewerage disposal in 1854

Sewerage is transported by hand in chamber pots to the cess pits

Occasionally overnight sewerage is emptied out of top floor windows

Public urination and defecation are unusual but not unknown (especially from drunken members of public)

In your group discuss the evidence/data that has been collected. Try and put this information on your map (below).

Discuss your evidence and ideas and prepare a presentation for the class.