Mode of Communication of Cholera - part 1

The most terrible outbreak of cholera which ever occurred in this Kingdom is probably that which took place in Broad Street, and the adjoining streets, a few weeks ago. Within two hundred and fifty yards of where Cambridge Street joins Broad Street there were upwards of five hundred fatal attacks of cholera in ten days. The mortality in this limited area probably equals any that was ever caused in this country, even with the plague; and it was much more sudden, as was the greater number of cases terminated within a few hours. The mortality would undoubtedly have been much greater had it not been for the flight of the population… On proceeding to the spot I found that nearly all the deaths had taken place within a short distance of the water pump. There were only ten deaths in houses situated decidedly nearer to another street pump. In five of these cases the families of the deceased person informed me that they always sent to the pump in Broad Street as they preferred the water to that of the pump that was nearer.