1854 cholera outbreak

The 1854 cholera outbreak in London was a severe epidemic caused by contaminated water sources, primarily from the Broad Street pump. Physicians, led by John Snow, discovered that the disease spread through dirty water contaminated with human waste, although the prevailing belief at the time blamed "miasma" or bad air. By mapping cases, Snow identified the water pump as the source, leading to its removal and a significant decline in cases. This outbreak played a key role in understanding cholera transmission and improving urban sanitation, highlighting the importance of clean water and waste management in disease prevention.