Discuss the case of John Barnes. Include how you think he contracted cholera.
Cholera Homework Assignment
- Discuss the case of John Barnes. Include how you think he contracted cholera.
- In the cases discussed by John Snow, how quickly can cholera kill someone? What is the reason for this?
- On page 260-261, John Snow describes what he thinks are all of the factors involved in the transmission of cholera and the disease process. Describe these. Based on what we know about cholera today, was he correct?
- What important information was contained in the letter from Mr. Baker to John Snow?
- What do all of the cases of cholera described by John Snow on Thomas Street, Hope Street, Ilford, and Locksbrook (pages 261-262) have in common?
- When the outbreak of cholera occurred around Broad Street during the latter part of August 1853, how did the population respond? How many cases of disease occurred during this time period? What did John Snow immediately suspect as the cause?
- In the vicinity of Broad Street, there was a workhouse on Poland Street and a brewery on Broad Street. Of the 535 inmates in the workhouse, only 3 died of cholera, and of the 70 men employed at the brewer none suffered from cholera. What was the reason for this?
- According to the data presented by John Snow, what date showed the greatest number of deaths from cholera in London during this outbreak in 1853? How many deaths occurred on this day?
- John Snow met with the Board of Guardians of St. James’s Parish on September 7th and presented all of the details of this outbreak. What was the response; what strategy was used to help stop the outbreak?
- What was the function of the General Resister Office, and why was this important for the epidemiological work of John Snow?
- Two main water supply companies were in operation at this time in London: 1) The Southwark and Vauxhall Company, and 2) The Lambeth Company. Which water source proved to be more contaminated? How did John Snow determine this? What was the number of deaths per 10,000 houses for each of these companies?
- What did John Snow observe regarding the association between city size and the length of the epidemic? What did he notice about the effects of season and the reason for this?
