Steven Johnson's thought-provoking The Ghost Map has been very successful in creating an alarming debate about the London cholera epidemic that took place in the year 1854. Although primarily revolves around the incidents that preceded the epidemic however there is strong intersection of the actual points that took place versus the interaction that took place between Dr John Snow and young clergyman. The food was not only provide detail about the reasons behind the epidemic however also gives a fair idea about the minds that collaborated together in order to solve the cholera crisis and also give the shape of the world in which we live today. Hence, it would be interesting to create a short analysis of the book to understand the different dimensions as represented by Steven.
The book starts with the chapter named "The Night-Soil Men," and it provides detail about the London, during those times which was the most densely populated place of the word and there were various issues related to output privies, cesspools, sewers, and Thames where urban scavenger were almost spending their life on a gathering up human excrement. There is a clear indication of the fact that during the middle of the 19th century London was facing a major problem of water closets and other related waterborne diseases.
Johnson shows a major interest not only providing the groundbreaking increase that contributed to the waste management problems in London however they also showed how the inadequate application of policy and lack of execution power efficiently contributed to the stretch of the epidemic. Johnson also discussed about how the overflowing cesspools resulted in the contamination of basements of many houses in London. It was quite unfortunate that wells in the city during their time provided the water for drinking purposes and therefore the spread of contaminated water from the wells was quite easily possible. The book also provided various case studies like the incident that happened with Thomas and Sarah Lewis who had unknowingly contaminated the cesspool in front of the house by throwing water in which they had washed their daughter’s clothes, who was actually suffering from cholera.
Similarly, there is a detailed account of interactions between John Snow and Henry Whitehead who used to work around the neighborhood streets and notice of incidents that took place and the disease source on a house by house basis. There is a very clear picture of the London at the time which is presented to the readers in ‘the ghost map’, however the book still lacks a few details from the social economic point of view and does not provide any details of the political involvement into the eradication of epidemic sources. The book also tries to, compel the readers to believe that London was "a creature with volition of its own," and therefore forces are reasons to believe that only the people were responsible for the epidemic.
Despite lacking in a couple of areas, the book provides an excellent source to know more about the historical events that took place and resulted in the cholera epidemic during the great of 19th-century in London. The book is highly informative and presents a very detailed view of the period, people and theories of that time, which is very valuable information in today's context and helps us to understand the various shortcomings and their solution which is even applicable in the current scenario.
Works Cited
Johnson, Steven. The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic – And How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World. New York: Riverhead Books, 2006.
