An account of the worst cholera outbreak in Victorian London--and an exploration of how Dr. John Snow's solution revolutionized the way we think about disease in cities. In the summer of 1854, a devastating cholera outbreak seized London just as it was emerging as a modern city: more than 2 million people packed into a ten-mile circumference, a hub of travel and commerce, continually pushing the limits of infrastructure that's outdated as soon as it's updated.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [285]-290) and index.

Preface --Monday, August 28 : the night-soil men -- Saturday, September 2 : eyes sunk, lips dark blue -- Sunday, September 3 : the investigator -- Monday, 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 -- Conclusion : the ghost map -- Epilogue : Broad Street revisited -- Author's note -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix : notes on further reading -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.