The Filth Disease: Typhoid Fever and the Practices of Epidemiology in Victorian England

The investigation of local outbreaks of typhoid fever in Victorian Britain led to the emergence of epidemiology as the leading science of public health. Typhoid was framed as the most pressing public health problem by public health reformers to persuade local officials to implement sanitary infrastructure. British epidemiologists uncovered how typhoid is spread via food and water supplies, disrupting the idea that it was spread via filth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 05 March 2024
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Typhoid fever, a treacherous and pervasive infectious disease that haunted Victorian Britain, emerged as a formidable foe during the Industrial Revolution. It claimed countless lives and left a lasting impact on the nation. The public's fear of this disease was palpable, fueled by media reports of widespread outbreaks and the tragic death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Prince Albert Edward, their son and heir, narrowly escaped the disease in 1871, further fueling public anxiety.

The Filth Disease delves into the intricate relationship between typhoid, health, science, and governance during this pivotal period. It argues that Victorian public health reformers, working at the central and local levels, framed typhoid as the most urgent public health challenge to persuade local officials to invest in sanitary infrastructure to prevent the spread of disease. British epidemiologists, during this time, made groundbreaking discoveries about the transmission of typhoid through food and water supplies, challenging the long-held belief that it was solely spread through filth.

As a result, the modern discipline of epidemiology emerged as the leading science of public health. Typhoid, recognized as both a scientific and social problem, demanded a comprehensive understanding of its causes, transmission, and potential solutions. The Filth Disease serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural context in which infectious diseases impact populations and the methodologies employed by scientists to study and combat them. It sheds light on the complex interplay between science, politics, and public health, highlighting the critical role played by epidemiology in shaping our understanding of disease and its impact on society.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648250811