Introduction
The Victorian Era was marked both by prosperity and peace, but also serious and deadly diseases. Victorian diseases were widespread and devastating.
Step 1
Cholera, which is an infection of the small intestine, is a disease that wrecked much havoc in Victorian Times. This type of Victorian diseases is caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae which is wide spread in conditions of poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. people become infected with this disease via eating or drinking contaminated food or water. In victorian England there was a increase in population, so overcrowding was an issue. This situation in Victorian England caused widespread epidemic of Cholera resulting in thousands of deaths. The symptoms of this Victorian Diseases are Abdominal cramps, Dry mucus membranes or mouth, Dry skin, Excessive thirst, Glassy or sunken eyes, Lack of tears, Lethargy, Low urine output, Nausea, Rapid dehydration, Rapid pulse, Sunken "soft spots" (fontanelles) in infants, Unusual sleepiness or tiredness, Vomiting and Watery diarrhea that starts suddenly.
Typhus was a Victorian diseases that was spread via lice or fleas, and it is still a problem in the 21st century. It is caused by one of two types of bacteria: Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia prowazekii. The form of types which develops depends on the type pf bacteria an person is infected with. Rickettsia typhi causes murine or endemic typhus, which is common in regions of poor hygiene and cold temperatures. Murine typhus occurs when people are exposed to rat fleas or rat feces and other animals ( cats, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and rats). Rickettsia prowazekii causes epidemic typhus and Brill-Zinsser disease. Brill-Zinsser disease is a mild form of epidemic typhus and occurs when an person who has previously been infected becomes reinfected with this Victorian diseases. The symptoms of the disease will depend on the variant that an person contracts, with murine or endemic typhus people will experience Abdominal pain, Backache, Diarrhea and a dull red rash. epidemic typhus may include Chills, Cough, Delirium and a High fever.
Step 2
The Victorian Diseases termed Consumption is what we now call Tuberculosis. This was a serious public concern in the 19th and early 20th centuries as an endemic disease of the urban poor. It is a highly contagious disease that infects the lungs and is widespread in areas that are marked by poor nutrition, and crowded or unsanitary living conditions so the poor regions of Victorian England were highly favorable conditions for the spread of TB.
Scarlet Fever is caused by infection with the group A Streptococcus bacteria. This type of Victorian diseases has the following symptoms Abdominal pain, Bright red color in the creases of the underarm and groin (Pastias lines), Chills, Fever, General discomfort (malaise),Headache, Muscle aches, Sore throat, Swollen, red tongue (strawberry tongue) and Vomiting.
Step 3
Smallpox is caused by the Variola major virus. The symptoms of this disease will manifest 12 to 14 days after you're infected and they include the following, Fever, Overall discomfort, Headache, Severe fatigue, Severe back pain and Sometimes vomiting, diarrhea or both.
Tips and Comments
Some of these Victorian Diseases are still a issue today. If you have any symptoms of these diseases contact a heath professional immediately.
