Understanding the era of Cholera- Uttara

The cholera epidemic in Colonial India lasted from 1817 to 1823. The epidemic challenged existing beliefs about diseases and their causes, while simultaneously reinforcing the social and cultural practices of the time. As the Napoleonic Wars ended, the Age of Rationality dawned, with the British seeing themselves at the forefront of understanding and controlling the natural world. They believed that adopting new scientific technologies could help improve public health and sanitation.

However, all these beliefs were challenged at the dawn of the epidemic. The disease was hardly understood at the time, and the manner in which it arbitrarily chose its victims was baffling. This was hardly the first time this disease was seen, but its manner of transmission was still mysterious. The disease claimed millions of lives, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. It was initially thought to have spread through the air, but despite repeated efforts to disinfect the air, the disease could not be stopped. The true cause of the spread of cholera was finally discovered, contaminated water and food. This led to the introduction of novel sewage systems and new ideas about public health. These measures even decreased the spread of other diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis. 

The process by which the cholera bacteria spread in various places was minutely tracked and detailed. As seen in the text “An Outbreak of Cholera in an Officers’ Mess”, Hankin describes in a methodical manner and in great detail the exact processes by which cholera could have spread in the mess, even including a pretty good recipe for chocolate pudding. However, the importance of sanitation in common areas is also emphasized. But this realization came a bit too late for the millions who had already succumbed to the disease. Even these measures only helped upper-caste people. Though Hankin’s final observations are on the cleanliness of dishcloths, he does remark on the poor sanitary conditions of the lower castes, causing the disease to thrive among them.