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From: PHHGENE <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: CHOLERA EPIDEMICS
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:25:42 EDT


Subj: CHOLERA EPIDEMICS

This is taken from the KY Ency, pub 1992- got this off a Ky list. you need to
check these dates. Some of you who have a lost relative in Ky, this could be
your answer.
Pat

Kentucky was hit the hardest in all of the cholera epidemics. Asiatic
cholera is usually fatal. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the
medical profession found that it was spread by the ingestion of food or
water contaminated by the fecal discharges of other cholera victims.

There was an epidemic in 1832-35 that hit nearly every county. One tenth of
the population of Lexington and Russellville died within a few weeks with
other counties suffering heavy losses.

It devastated the state again 1848-54 claiming thousands of victims from
urban and rural communities.

An outbreak in 1866 was considered relatively mild.

In 1872 it hit again and claimed thousands of lives in Woodburn,
Millersburg, Lebanon, COLUMBIA, Lancanster and hundreds of other communities.

It struck all people of all ages and economic status. Some doctors saw a
correlation between sanitation and cholera and thought that rotting
vegetation and standing water produced airborne cholera pathogens. Some
thought it was caused by eating raw fruits and vegetables. Others blamed it
on strong drink and sinful living.

Of the cures prescribed, the most common was draining the body's "diseased"
fluids by blood letting. Caolmel was prescribed frequently.

After the 1872 outbreak, it was proved that better sanitation could
decrease the risk of cholera and Kentuckians started to clean up their
communities. A publication in 1875 by the surgeon general stessed carless
sanitation and the high mortality rates - making a connection between
drinking water, sewage disposal and cholera.

In 1882, a German physician, Robert Koch, discovered the Asiatic cholera
bacillus which proved the link.

This information was provided by an acquaintenance of mine over at Western
Kentucky University, Nancy Baird for publication. Hope it helps. Sandi.

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