John Snow and the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak

In 1854, cholera struck Broad Street in London. One scientist, John Snow, thought he could finally prove how this elusive killer spread.

From our free online course, “PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Epidemic of 1854”:


HarvardX empowers the faculty of Harvard University to create high-quality online courses in subjects ranging from computer science to history, education, and religion.

[tjvhere]

One of the most brilliantly narrated and intense short documentary. Did'nt take a second of my attention span away. Kudos to the HarvardX team.

[kingdom]

Great content. Excellent presentation.


5:07 you’re telling me that water mixed with poo tastes sweet and clean?

[brianholmes]

I grew up in London and learned more from this video than anything we did at school when I was a kid! Excellent video and very interesting. Thank you to all involved!

[vladtheimpala]

This isn’t the John Snow I was looking for (no I wasn’t looking for Jon Snow) but I’m glad I came across this video by accident. It is very interesting.

Ok, now I resume my search for the other John Snow.

[danielleguerrero]

Thank you so much for this video!!! My sophomores in my World History class love learning this stuff!

[pcdihealth]

Great information. I want to use this video for my undergrad students.

[bigjulie]

Excellent. May I kindly suggest you drop the music when you talk as it is distracting. Silence is golden. Thank you for your efforts.

[manuchimamadi]

Absolutely enlightening! Keep up the good work, HARVARD👏

[jayoh]

Tks for Great explanations.
I want to visit there someday

A Korean who live in Taiwan

[nikolaospeterson]

Today we are in another pandemic, COVID-19. Year 2020. When I was just 11 some six years ago, I contracted a mild case of cholera in a wealthy First World area, namely Pacific Palisades, California. My case lasted for about 5 days. I had the frequent -rice water- stools and had been puking as well (more out the backside). My paediatrician was called and I had been diagnosied with cholera and given some samples he had of WHO ORS (Oral rehydration salts) I made my recover without complication. So yes, as an adolescent, I am a survivor of cholera like in the 21 century.

[AngryBaldyGaming]

I bet there were a lot of mad locals saying “you know nothing John snow”. sorry I couldn’t resist 😄

[DrAliha]

Locals: you know nothing John Snow
Johnny boi: hold my ghost map

[haroo_book]

I read a book about cholera and came across a very informative video while doing some research. The video provided a realistic comparison between London then and now, which was helpful. It was interesting to learn that some places that were once affected by the cholera outbreak are now pubs.

Now, in 2023, while experiencing COVID-19, I deeply understand why we need to protect the environment and am doing what I can. It's interesting to note that the cholera outbreak in London was also caused b

[Ross.Cavendish]

Very interesting video and well presented, thank you. I walk through that part of Soho most weekends when I meet with friends, I walk from Old Compton Street to catch my bus home from Oxford Circus.

[shaylong]

Excellent video, not only do I have an interest in epidemiology, but this video took me back to my Oregon Trail days.

[gladissemensato]

What a beautifull story. I loved it. So inspiring!

[stischer]

I had the pleasure and excitement of going to the site of the pump named by John Snow. The whole idea of pattern matching was my area of AI. To realize that John Snow understood the patterns was stunning.

[tonayflattum-riemers]

Great video. What always bothered me is that snows south London study which proved the connection with water and cholera not the broad street investigation. In fact there are a lot of weird details with the pump.. The deaths declined prior to the handle removal on the 8th. The only physician who saw the suspected index patient didn’t believe it was cholera. Or the general board of healths house to house inquiry team finding evidence that would explain shows strange finding which can be found in the appendix of the report of scientific inquiry. Such as the hampstead widow had another connection to the area. Her son lived with her but continued to travel to the broad street area every day, meeting with one of his infected coworkers.

[CaptainCalculus]

Since you made this video they have taken the granite slab away and have replaced it with a replica of the original pump and concrete stand.

[kareenar]

im surprised the people around the lady weren't looking at her funny when she started talking about diarrhoea