Residents on Broad Street accepted the Miasma theory because it was the most readily used explanation, despite its dearth of supporting evidence. It is very easy however to blame the environment rather than human activity, just as we discussed in class, because human activity implies that we could change the outcomes of illness. The implementation of miasma theory had only exacerbated the spread of cholera. Believing all smell was disease, the Thames River became a sewage dump in efforts to rid homes of excretions and contaminated air. Although he held the unpopular opinion John Snow continued to build on his theory that contaminated water and not air was the vector for cholera.
One week after the outbreak of cholera in Soho was when its turning point began with the removal of the Broad Street pump handle. It was the first time an informed intervention had been made based on a scientifically sound theory surrounding cholera. The removal of the pump managed to bring a decline to the outbreak as well as prevent a second outbreak. It is interesting to see that such a simple intervention can bring the end to such a lethal disease.
