It's the summer of 1854, and London is just emerging as one of the first modern cities in the world. But lacking the infrastructure-garbage removal, clean water, sewers-necessary to support its rapidly expanding population, the city has become the perfect breeding ground for a terrifying disease no one knows how to cure. As the cholera outbreak takes hold, a physician and a local curate are spurred to action-and ultimately solve the most pressing medical riddle of their time.
In a triumph of multidisciplinary thinking, Johnson illuminates the intertwined histories of the spread of disease, the rise of cities, and the nature of scientific inquiry, offering both a riveting history and a powerful explanation of how it has shaped the world we live in.
Monday, August 28 - THE NIGHT-SOIL MEN
Saturday, September 2 - EYES SUNK, LIPS DARK BLUE
Sunday, September 3 - THE INVESTIGATOR
Sunday, September 4 - THAT IS TO SAY, JO HAS NOT YET DIED
Tuesday, September 5 - ALL SMELL IS DISEASE
Wednesday, September 6 - BUILDING THE CASE
Friday, September 8 - THE PUMP HANDLE
Epilogue: BROAD STREET REVISITED
Appendix: Notes on Further Reading