Epidemic in the west: the cholera outbreak

Howdy folks and welcome to a new article on life in the old west. Today we will be exploring the epidemic of 1873 that struck fear on the frontier.

The cholera outbreak in the west is believed to have spread after the arrival of some Russians migrants. The doctor’s theory of this epidemic was that it was brought by immigrants in this country from endemic areas overseas.

The association between unsanitary conditions, especially drinking water contaminated with infected human feces, and the development of cholera was basically understood in 1873 America.

Very often on the frontier , cholera patients suffered quickly and died without any medical attention. That's why the quarantine method was heavily implied to stop the spread of the dangerous disease, much like today.

Today, cholera, compared to other diseases, is easy to cure. It was a disaster in the old west though because of the lack of medical experts and advanced treatments.