19th Cholera Epidemic in the United States
History

19th Cholera Epidemic in the United States

The 19th century was a period of epidemic series in the United States and the world in general. American history has been widely influenced by disease epidemic, whereby Native American people were devastated by various diseases. This phenomenon was experienced all over the United States before and after the arrival of Europeans on American soil. As indicated by Rosenberg (1963), cholera was the most profound disease epidemic of the 19th century across the world whereby the US was not exempted. The disease led to thousands of deaths to the US population alongside other social and economic problems. A ddicated by Rosenberg (1963), cholera was the most profound disease epidemic of the 19th century across the world whereby the US was not exempted. The emonstrated by Rosenberg (1963), Cholera is a killer disease that causes a series of health complications like: diarrhea, vomiting, violent and profuse cramps alongside dehydration. These medical complications associated with cholera are so devastating in that they can cause death in a matter of hours. This paper will provide an explicit discussion on the 19th century Cholera epidemic in the United States (Rosenberg, 1963).

The main causes of disease epidemic in the US are associated with the 19th century transformations. These transformations were on the aspects of political, industrial, cultural and urban life. Precisely, the eruption of cholera cases in the US states was linked to these social, economic, political and cultural changes (Rosenberg, 1963).  The cause of cholera was explained on the basis of different principles. To begin with, American and European physicians believed that cholera was locally formed miasmatic disease. In this case, the physicians argued that the illness was as a result of exposure to the products of decay and filth. Rosenberg (1963) outlined that, geographical factors also played a key role in inieved that cholera was locally formed miasmatic disease. In this case, the physicians argued that the illness was as a result of exposure to the producfluencing the causes and spread of cholera. From a spiritual perspective, it has been argued that the deterioration of moral values in the society led to spread of the disease. With regard to this case, people who engaged in physically and morally intemperate behavior as well as inferior cultural practices were at higher risk of contaminating the dieses (Rosenberg, 1963).

From another perspective, the development of urban slums in US towns also influenced the causes of cholera. The development of human slums led to low standards of hygiene hence influencing the eruption of the diseases (Rosenberg, 1963).  It is important to note that, the urban poor were more vulnerable to the diseases as compared to the rich due to the differences in housing among provision of other basic services. The concept of hygiene and sanitation was also a significant factor leading to the cause of cholera in the US. Based on the development of urbanization and industrialization, environmental health was compr housing among provision of other basic services. The concept of hygiene and sanitation was also a significant factor leading to the cause of cholera iomised hence leading to human exposure to germs and diseases (Rosenberg, 1963). Industrialization led to manufacture and disposal of many chemicals which in turn led to contamination of drinking water. The concept of urbanization also influenced poor sanitation on the aspect of poor sewage management. In addition, advancement in transportation also influenced cholera in the US, whereby cholera was transported from India to the US (Rosenberg, 1963).

The impacts of cholera in the United States were very adverse, whereby millions of people lost their lives following the infection of the disease. As indicated by Rosenberg (1963).  New York was the worse hit state by the cholera epidemic as compared to other states. The impacts of the disease were felt all over the US, whereby Erie Canal among other isolated villages was also thoroughly scourged by the disease (Rosenberg, 1963).  Based on the overwhelming extent of cholera in the US in the 19th century various intervention measures were adopted. Most of the treatment strategies adopted at the time were home based, whereby physicians were called to treat patients at home. Characteristic treatments like opium and bleeding were adopted. For the upper and middle classes, homeopathic methods were utilized in treating the patients. Based on these insights, its important to note that adequate treatment and prevpatients at home. Characteristic treatments like opium and bleeding were adopted. For the upper and middle classes, homeopathic methods were utilized inention measures were not put into consideration thus calling for better strategies in future (Rosenberg, 1963).

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