R&R

Posted by in 02/07 — No Comments
07
Feb 14

Cholera in London/ The GhostMap

 

BY ANNALIISA GIFFORD

Steven Johnson has written us, in these 4 chapters, a summary of the cholera epidemic in London and it’s terrifying roots. The disease was frighteningly contagious and began in the dirty systems of transportation and sewage in SoHo, London on Broad Street. It is outstanding to me that one sick child began the outbreak that we know as cholera. One person’s sickness wrought the sickness and painful deaths of thousands of others. Knowing this, I’d like to pose a few questions to the readers and those contemplating the epidemic.

Do you think a widespread epidemic like the epidemic in London could reproduce itself in the United States in present day?

How would the economy and our health care policies react to this?

 

 

Posted by in 02/07 — 1 Comment
07
Feb 14

The Ghost Map 2/7

            The Ghost Map builds up to the inevitability of a cholera outbreak in Britain, detailing chronically unsanitary conditions, along side outbreaks in other parts of the world prior to 1831, providing the British with a false sense of superiority. Although the V. cholerae bacteria is ancient, an outbreak of cholera within the last two hundred years still managed to puzzle one of the world’s leading superpowers. Disease does not opportunistically prey on the politically, nor economically weak, but rather on populations that hold the social determinants of poor public health. Some determinants mentioned in The Ghost Map include lack of waste disposal systems, overcrowding among the living quarters as well as the deceased, and contamination of water systems, whether aware or unaware of its impurities. Although there is an ample amount of information on accounts of infection and lives and deaths, some of the physical and emotional torment that cholera caused, Johnson admits to require imagination (p. 32).
It may seem very obvious today that if we are quickly losing water, the best option is to rehydrate. Given Cholera’s quick and detrimental effects, however, it is easy to understand why doctors and scientists at the time would consider only complicated medications and solutions to a mysterious disease.

Reflection Questions:
Had foul smells and cramped quarters been a norm in 19th century Britain?  When did the public realize/become educated that their living conditions were increasing their susceptibility to disease?

Pricila Castillo

Posted by in 02/07 / R&R — 1 Comment
06
Feb 14

The Ghost Map Chapters 1-4

Johnson’s approach to the London cholera epidemic of 1854 is a unique one that is a surprisingly enjoyable read. Written as more of a novel than a scientific retelling of cold hard facts, he allows readers to both learn the history of the epidemic as well as experience it through the eyes of its victims. His vivid descriptions of 19th century London leave one both intrigued and disgusted, and are a useful way to look at such an epidemic in the context of the entire society at that time.

I particularly liked the idea that most historic events are “self-consciously” historic to those living through them, but epidemics are quite the opposite. It’s a dismal thought; those who are written down in history for their part in epidemics are robbed of even the small sense of celebrity that comes with being a part of a historic, if terrible, event.

The author’s attention to detail is startling, and really brings the storytelling to life, though I wonder how all of this detail, such as the fact that one of the first victims enjoyed a pudding with his contaminated Broad Street water, is known. I also noticed some discrepancies in his observations: for example, he describes the time period as “a world where it was not at all out of the ordinary for an entire family to die in the space of forty-eight hours,” when earlier, he points to the epidemic of 1854 as a frightening and new strain, because of its ability to wipe out entire families in a matter of days. Nevertheless, I am really enjoying the book, as its writing style is laid-back, and the author takes the time to draw readers in. I’m actually a little worried for Whitehead’s well being at this point, given the dramatic ending to Chapter 3.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the balance of looking at the epidemic through both a general and specific lens, by pointing out the entire city and its development, as well as the specific V. cholerae as the causes of the epidemic. These two views allow us to study the epidemic as both a biological and social incident, and give us a really comprehensive look at the episode.

Tzivi Kleinbart

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