A very interesting article. It is a sad fact that so many women died in childbirth or soon after. Infection caused by not washing hands was often the cause of postpartum deaths. I used to write a history blog and wrote about cholera in London, and how Dr John Snow was instrumental in finding the cause of an outbreak https://motleytalk.substack.com/p/motley-talk-about-john
Nice summary of the Snow / Cholera episode. I am well familiar with it. A key concept you illustrate is that it is the interplay of excess migration AND the infected water source that creates a surge in cases. The same thing happened in Southern Illinois in that there was a surge of Irish and German migration (1848 - 1854) that was the accelerant for the 2nd big cholera wave. Migration has always been a prime catalyst for epidemics.
Fascinating article. So many interesting facts about disease. I love the way you put everything together from symptoms to family members to migration to length of disease time to age of deceased to geography to the weather. And still write about it in an interesting way.
What is congestive fever? What would be congested? Is it the way we think of congestion today, like of the lungs or upper respiratory? I am thinking of my great-grandmother's child who died age 2 of congestion of the brain.
When I saw hives, I thought of an allergic reaction, maybe to a bee sting.
Congestive fever was a catch all diagnosis that included malaria and other diseases. Some like cholera were easy because there were few infections that would kill that fast. From first symptom to dead in about 24 hours.
A superb "book" on disease conditions of that era - appreciated your detailed analysis. Definitely a challenging time for women in particular. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your kind words, Robert. No, I am not familiar with this book. We made the connection of the single Graham child buried at Union Cem. when we discovered reference to Rev. Graham's "unusual departure" as minister of Union Church. Rev. Graham and the rest of his family are buried near Monmouth College where he worked. I will look into the book.
A very interesting article. It is a sad fact that so many women died in childbirth or soon after. Infection caused by not washing hands was often the cause of postpartum deaths. I used to write a history blog and wrote about cholera in London, and how Dr John Snow was instrumental in finding the cause of an outbreak https://motleytalk.substack.com/p/motley-talk-about-john
Nice summary of the Snow / Cholera episode. I am well familiar with it. A key concept you illustrate is that it is the interplay of excess migration AND the infected water source that creates a surge in cases. The same thing happened in Southern Illinois in that there was a surge of Irish and German migration (1848 - 1854) that was the accelerant for the 2nd big cholera wave. Migration has always been a prime catalyst for epidemics.
Fascinating article. So many interesting facts about disease. I love the way you put everything together from symptoms to family members to migration to length of disease time to age of deceased to geography to the weather. And still write about it in an interesting way.
What is congestive fever? What would be congested? Is it the way we think of congestion today, like of the lungs or upper respiratory? I am thinking of my great-grandmother's child who died age 2 of congestion of the brain.
When I saw hives, I thought of an allergic reaction, maybe to a bee sting.
Congestive fever was a catch all diagnosis that included malaria and other diseases. Some like cholera were easy because there were few infections that would kill that fast. From first symptom to dead in about 24 hours.
A superb "book" on disease conditions of that era - appreciated your detailed analysis. Definitely a challenging time for women in particular. Thanks for sharing!
Wow this is fabulous - great research tips, writing by and pulling it all together! And thanks for walking us thru some options and sources!
Excellent information David. On a different note>> are you familiar with this book > Katharine Tolle Kell
David Graham of Chester County, South Carolina and His Descendants 1772-1989
Thank you for your kind words, Robert. No, I am not familiar with this book. We made the connection of the single Graham child buried at Union Cem. when we discovered reference to Rev. Graham's "unusual departure" as minister of Union Church. Rev. Graham and the rest of his family are buried near Monmouth College where he worked. I will look into the book.