Broad Street pump

Broad Street Pump

The Broad Street pump was a public water pump in the Soho district of London, England, and is famously associated with the 1854 cholera outbreak. The pump became central to the work of John Snow, a pioneering figure in the field of epidemiology.

Historical Context

In the mid-19th century, London was a rapidly growing city with a population that had outpaced its infrastructure. The lack of proper sanitation and clean water supply led to frequent outbreaks of diseases, including cholera. At the time, the prevailing theory was that diseases were spread by "miasma" or "bad air."

The 1854 Cholera Outbreak

In August 1854, a severe outbreak of cholera occurred in the Soho area of London. Within a week, over 500 people had died. The outbreak was centered around the Broad Street area, which was densely populated and had poor sanitation.

John Snow's Investigation

John Snow, a physician and early advocate of the germ theory of disease, hypothesized that cholera was spread through contaminated water rather than miasma. He conducted a detailed investigation of the outbreak, mapping the cases of cholera and identifying a cluster around the Broad Street pump.

Snow's investigation involved interviewing local residents and collecting data on where victims had obtained their drinking water. He discovered that many of the cholera cases were among people who drank water from the Broad Street pump, while those who drank from other sources were less affected.

Removal of the Pump Handle

Based on his findings, Snow persuaded the local authorities to remove the handle of the Broad Street pump on September 8, 1854. This action effectively ended the outbreak, as the number of new cases dropped dramatically.

Impact and Legacy

The removal of the pump handle is considered a landmark event in the history of public health and epidemiology. Snow's work provided strong evidence for the waterborne transmission of cholera and laid the groundwork for modern epidemiology.

The Broad Street pump incident is often cited as a classic example of the application of scientific methods to public health problems. It demonstrated the importance of data collection, analysis, and the use of maps in understanding disease patterns.

Commemoration

Today, the site of the Broad Street pump is marked by a replica pump and a plaque commemorating Snow's work. The street itself has been renamed Broadwick Street.

Also see

• John Snow (physician)
• Cholera
• Epidemiology
• Germ theory of disease
• Public health