Victorian medicine was severely limited by the lack of basic empirical method or scientific knowledge. Germ theory, which we take for granted today, would have saved countless lives and allowed for progress in the field of bacteriology which would ultimately have revealed V. cholerae to be the perpetrator of cholera. Scientists and physicians of the era seemed to be largely concerned with promoting their own quack cures which superficially eliminated or obscured the symptoms of the disease. John Snow was able to overcome the conventional thinking of the era and laid the road for modern medicine and public health by examining the trends and analyzing what might be the underlying causes rather than acting entirely upon superficial observations.

Miasma theory had gained a strong foothold in the medical community, and supporters of the theory had remained steadfast even with John Snow’s discovery that V.cholerae was waterborne. Why was miasma theory so popular? Was it entirely because of ignorance and stubborn public opinion or could there have been an economic drive as well?