John Snow Skepticism

How John Snow’s Skepticism and Open-mindedness Influenced His Method of Conducting Research At the beginning of the 18th century little was known about cholera transmission or disease communication in general. The miasma theory was in full force. Most of the science world accepted the miasma theory and completely rejected any other theory for disease transmittance. This greatly hindered advancements in research of communicable diseases because miasmas were understood as a fact and no other means of transfer were considered. It took the open-mindedness of John Snow to provide enough evidence to initiate the collapse of the miasma theory. Snow wanted substantial proof for theories he learned of. If he did not find proof sufficient evidence of something, he questioned it . This was mindset which led to his discoveries such as in the case when he observed the miasma theory and did not accept it as fact. He was selective in his beliefs in regards to disease transmission. At the age of 18, his early work as a medical apprentice set …show more content…
Dr. Baly recorded his observations among women and children in “Report on Cholera to the College of Physicians.” Snow read this and wrote “The only effect of its communication in the pits would be, that the men and boys in a family would have the cholera a day or two earlier than the women and children...” He puts emphasis on “crowded dwellings” being the cause of increased transmission among the miners. Snow also believed that, since women nurse the sick, they are more susceptible to cholera (Snow, 1855). His recordings from 1831-1832 suggest that some type of person-to-person transmittance is occurring. In 1833 at the age of 20, Snow left his medical apprenticeship after gaining 6 years of medical experience (Lemon). Two of these years were spent gaining experience with