In 1854, the bustling city of London flourished economically and socially. More than 2.4 million people squeezed their way onto this already crowded land, making it one of the largest hotspots in the world . However, the increase in population did not prove to be as beneficial as others imagined. The onset of this urban sprawl brought on great complications for the citizens of Victorian London- particularly waste problems. Inefficient disposal systems could not properly withstand the increasing trash of London’s residents. It was not long before the stench and the remnants of human waste blanketed the land and collected in the Thames River. With the lack of proper sewage systems, garbage disposals, and clean water, the city was drowning in
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The relationship between fear, disease, and social understanding is still prevalent around the world. Situations such as the Zika Virus or Ebola mimic the same type of public turmoil and fear of 1854. For instance, the Zika Virus has always been present throughout the world. However, it became the center of attention when there was a sudden increase in children born with microcephaly. As seen in The Ghost Map, the fear of an unknown disease makes individuals irrational. In areas where the disease is prevalent, controversy exists over the methods of protection (i.e. use of pesticides). Many athletes and sport’s fans turned away from the Olympics due to the fear of catching the virus. As scientists are researching in-depth, they are able to work with the victims on a smaller scale and clarify pubic misconceptions. Their observations from the data and the victims help them to get one step closer to conquering and understanding the …show more content…
In certain cultures, the dead are venerated and viewed as powerful figures. This can be seen in cultures like the Egyptians. They mummified the dead and hoped that they would continue to prosper in the afterlife. On the other hand, 1850’s London viewed the dead as a consequence of wrong doings. Due to the large population, those that died in filth or disease were treated like bags of filth themselves. This situation can be seen when Johnson explains that dead bodies of the poor “were thrown in to a hole which is 14 feet deep” (pg. 13). The gravedigger would often be “up to [his] knees in human flesh, jumping on the bodies, so as to cram them in the least possible space…” (pg.13). When cholera hit, the dead and the plagued were the first ones to be blamed. In fact, in the eyes of society, they were already contaminated and continued to spread their infections even as bones (pg.16). This vivid image shows how, in a crowded society, human value plummets. People become more preoccupied with their own way of living and disregard the suffering of those around them. These sad circumstances create misconceptions, social divisions, and additional misunderstandings in
The relationship between fear, disease, and social understanding is still prevalent around the world. Situations such as the Zika Virus or Ebola mimic the same type of public turmoil and fear of 1854. For instance, the Zika Virus has always been present throughout the world. However, it became the center of attention when there was a sudden increase in children born with microcephaly. As seen in The Ghost Map, the fear of an unknown disease makes individuals irrational. In areas where the disease is prevalent, controversy exists over the methods of protection (i.e. use of pesticides). Many athletes and sport’s fans turned away from the Olympics due to the fear of catching the virus. As scientists are researching in-depth, they are able to work with the victims on a smaller scale and clarify pubic misconceptions. Their observations from the data and the victims help them to get one step closer to conquering and understanding the …show more content…
In certain cultures, the dead are venerated and viewed as powerful figures. This can be seen in cultures like the Egyptians. They mummified the dead and hoped that they would continue to prosper in the afterlife. On the other hand, 1850’s London viewed the dead as a consequence of wrong doings. Due to the large population, those that died in filth or disease were treated like bags of filth themselves. This situation can be seen when Johnson explains that dead bodies of the poor “were thrown in to a hole which is 14 feet deep” (pg. 13). The gravedigger would often be “up to [his] knees in human flesh, jumping on the bodies, so as to cram them in the least possible space…” (pg.13). When cholera hit, the dead and the plagued were the first ones to be blamed. In fact, in the eyes of society, they were already contaminated and continued to spread their infections even as bones (pg.16). This vivid image shows how, in a crowded society, human value plummets. People become more preoccupied with their own way of living and disregard the suffering of those around them. These sad circumstances create misconceptions, social divisions, and additional misunderstandings in