Disease and epidemic

The transcript describes the cholera epidemic of 1853 and Dr. John Snow's investigation into its cause. Initially, people believed cholera was spread through foul air, known as miasma. However, Dr. Snow suspected contaminated water was the source. He interviewed locals about their water sources and found a correlation between the local pump and cholera cases. Despite efforts to clean the air, cholera persisted until Dr. Snow removed the pump handle, forcing people to use other water sources, which stopped the outbreak. This confirmed his theory that cholera was waterborne.

What was the initial belief about how cholera spread during the 1853 epidemic?

• Through foul air

• Through direct contact

• Through food contamination

• Through contaminated water

What did Dr. John Snow suspect was the cause of the cholera outbreak?

• Contaminated food

• Contaminated water

• Air pollution

• Infected animals

How did Dr. John Snow gather information about the cholera outbreak?

• By conducting laboratory tests

• By interviewing local residents

• By analyzing weather patterns

• By studying hospital records

What action did Dr. Snow take to stop the cholera outbreak?

• He distributed medicine

• He burned barrels of tar

• He removed the pump handle

• He cleaned the streets

What was the outcome after Dr. Snow's intervention?

• The cholera outbreak spread to other areas

• The cholera outbreak stopped

• The cholera outbreak worsened

• The cholera outbreak had no change