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150th Anniversary of John Snow and the Pump Handle
John Snow, M.D. (1813--1858), a legendary figure in epidemiology, provided one of the earliest examples of
using epidemiologic methods to identify risk for disease and recommend preventive action
(1). Best known for his work in anesthesiology, Snow also
had an interest in cholera and supported the unpopular theory that cholera was transmitted by water rather than through miasma (i.e., bad air).
On August 31, 1854, London experienced a recurrent epidemic of cholera; Snow suspected water from the Broad Street
pump as the source of disease. To test his theory, Snow reviewed death records of area residents who died from cholera and interviewed household members, documenting that most deceased persons
had lived near and had drunk water from the pump.
Snow presented his findings to community leaders, and the pump handle was removed on September 8, 1854. Removal of the
handle prevented additional cholera deaths, supporting Snow's theory that cholera was a waterborne, contagious disease. Despite the success of this investigation, the cause of cholera remained a matter of debate until
Vibrio cholerae was isolated in 1883.
Snow's studies and the removal of the pump
handle became a model for modern epidemiology. To recognize his
pioneering work, this issue of MMWR highlights public health actions guided by epidemiologic data to control a modern epidemic
of cholera, detect and prevent adverse reactions to vaccinations, stop an epidemic of
aflatoxin poisoning, and correct environmental causes of waterborne outbreaks.
Reference
Snow J. On the mode of communication of cholera. 2nd ed. In: Snow on Cholera. (Reprint.) New York, New York: Hafner Publishing Co., 1965. Available at
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow.html.
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