Date of Award

Spring 5-1955

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

John Duffy

Abstract

During the nineteenth century Louisiana fell prey to many infectious diseases. One of the most severe to strike the state was Asiatic Cholera. In 1817 the pestilence began to spread from India, infecting both Asia and Europe. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, cholera Invaded Louisiana in October, 1832, and within the next twelve months killed over 6,000 persons In Orleans alone. During this time all normal economic activities were Interrupted, and the city came to a near standstill as many people fled In an attempt to escape cholera. However, before the disease had vanished from the city, people were working harder than ever at their every day jobs, trying to make up for lost time. The pestilence moved from the city Into the Teche country and up the Mississippi, devastating many places. In 1833 the disease disappeared from the state, but after a sixteen year lapse, it returned to remain in Louisiana for six long year. Each time it seemingly disappeared, the pestilence would receive reinforcements from infected European ports, and would continue to ravage the state with renewed force. New Orleans lost over 9,000 inhabitants during these years. In some instances, cholera became so severe that whole towns were evacuated. Cholera became the most feared disease in the state.

In 1855 the Louisiana Legislature sought a remedy against such epidemics when It passed a quarantine law setting up a Board of Health. The board established a quarantine station on the Mississippi River. This station proved to be inadequate, for in 1866 and 1867 cholera again struck the state, although with a lesser degree of intensity than in pervious attacks. The final invasion by cholera came in 1873, and only 259 persons perished in New Orleans. Each succeeding epidemic tended to be less virulent than the previous ones.

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