Newspaper report of the 1854 cholera outbreak in Oxford
The following report appeared in Jackson’s Oxford Journal on 9 September 1854 (some paragraphing added):
THE CHOLERA
We regret to state that since our last publication the prevailing epidemics, diarrhoea and English cholera, have made their appearance in the city, but in most cases they have been confined to those localities where sickness and diseases have generally developed themselves in the first instance. The more crowded parts of St. Ebbe’s, Gas-street Blackfriars’-road, and the lower part of St. Aldate’s-street, have been the localities were most of the cases have occurred.
We do not think there is any ground for alarm, for, according to the returns of the Registrar, there have been but 17 deaths from diarrhoea and cholera, many of these being aged people, whose constitutions were not sufficiently strong to withstand the attack, and, in some other cases, the irregular life led by the parties rendered them susceptible to infection, and weakened their power to struggle with the complaining the only instance which we have heard of a malignant character was that of a gentleman named Roberts, a surveyor, from Norwich, who was staying with Mr. Seckham, the architect, in St. Aldate’s. He was apparently in perfect health on Sunday last, but in the night had a severe attack of diarrhoea, and as he had no medical assistance until nine o’clock the next morning, it is supposed that the disease had gained such a hold on the system that it was impossible to resist its progress, and Mr. Roberts died the same afternoon.
Considering the extent of this city, and the number of its inhabitants, many of them living in crowded and unhealthy localities, we have great reason to congratulate ourselves that up to the present moment the prevailing epidemics have not made more rapid strides, and been attended with more fatal consequences. It is also consolatory to know that the Board of Health, the Street Commissioners, and the Board of Guardians, are adopting the most effectual means for checking the spread of disease, and providing every assistance for those who may be attacked. A building has been fitted up near Walton Well as a house of refuge for the wives and children of those who may be seized with cholera, and in the same ground tents have been erected to serve as day and dining rooms, and provisions are daily supplied to the parties. The Board of Guardians have this day issued the following hand-bill, to which we would particularly direct the public attention, as it embodies some valuable suggestions, and must tend to strengthen confidence:—
“The Board of Guardians for the Eleven United Parishes of Oxford, in announcing the return of Epidemic Cholera to this City, desire to acquaint the inhabitants of the City and University of their determination to do all in their power to check the spread of the disease, and to use every reliable method for this purpose. They have instituted such an organization of Medical Officers as they deem to be sufficient, and are prepared to extend it as the case my require. They are making arrangements for efficient attendance on the poor who may be affected with cholera, at their own homes,; for removing the convalescent and the families of the attacked to a healthy spot, and for providing them with all that they need during their stay. They have undertaken to furnish at the houses of the sick such things as they may require, to provide them with nurses, to remove from their rooms and houses such things as may be dangerous to the public health, and to see that the infected apartments are thoroughly cleansed before they are again inhabited. They earnestly implore the inhabitants to assit their endeavours in such ways as they may be able; instantly to obtain proper advice on the least appearance of looseness of the bowels; for their own and the public safety to acquaint Mr. Galpin, the Surveyor to the Commissioners, at his office in the Town-hall Yard, with any nuisances they conceive to be injurious to their habitations; and, together with the observance of these simple precautions, to place a steady and hopeful trust in the Providence of God.
“J. R. CARR, Chairman of the Board of Guardians.”
Henry Brown, the dispensing chemist at 101 High Street, Oxford, inserted two advertisements in the next edition of the newspaper. The first (headed “THE CHOLERA”) was for Dr Daun's carminative mixture, alleged to stop diahorrea and thus avert the attack of cholera that would follow, and the second (headed “THE CHOLERA!!! Prevented by the destruction of all Noxious Effluvia”) was for Crews's Disinfecting fluid. Another Oxford chemist, Slatter & Telfer, recommended Hopgood's Dandelion Bilious and Liver Pills as “the best preventive of this most direful disease”.
