History of the epidemic spasmodic cholera of Russia (Historical Map)

History of the epidemic spasmodic cholera of Russia

This map shows how the cholera epidemic spread across the world from 1817-1831. The only cities labeled on the map are places at which cholera was recorded during the epidemic, clearly showing the impressive geographical range the epidemic reached. This map is particularly interesting because it aims to depict change over time, by including the date at which cholera was first recorded at that specific place on most of the labels. It is not initially very easy to determine where the epidemic originated and the path it took because there is no guide other than the dates, so you have to read all the labels to get a sense of the narrative that the map is telling – it is not very visually obvious. Assessing the path of transmission of a disease is key in identifying the mechanism by which it is spread, and this map is an excellent example of an attempt to better understand cholera, laying the pathway for the discovery of waterborne transmission in the next 20-30 years.

Francis Bisset Hawkins

Book: "History of the epidemic spasmodic cholera of Russia :including a copious account of the disease which has prevailed in India, and which has travelled, under that name,
from Asia into Europe, illustrated by numerous official and other documents, explanatory of the nature, treatment, and prevention of the malady"

J. Murray (London)

1831

World

Book figure

https://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/drs:7142160$7i

Open Collections Program at Harvard University

1817-1831