Cholera epidemic in 1866 in Poznan and its surroundings

The article analyses the cholera epidemic in 1866 in Poznan and its surroundings. It differed from previous cholera epidemics in Poznan because the percentage of deaths was three times higher in the right-bank district than in the left-bank one. The article investigates the usefulness of the criterion of religion in examining this epidemic and the impact of the Prussian-Austrian war, a significant event in European history, on cholera cases. The article also aims to identify the involvement of Polish doctors and persons without medical education in the fight against cholera in right-bank Poznan. The primary research material consists of press notes and articles published in “Dziennik Poznański” in 1866, documents from the State Archives in Poznan, Teofil Kaczorowski’s report from the city cholera hospital, as well as leaflets and a brochure on cholera, published in Poznan in 1866. The study proves the problematic nature of attributing susceptibility to cholera to Poles, what the Prussian authorities did, the impact of military transports and quartering of soldiers among the inhabitants of Poznan, and the difficulties in providing treatment and care to cholera patients, especially in the vicinity of Poznan, where there were no doctors or pharmacies at all. The occurrence of cholera was demonstrated near the fortress moat and the Bogdanka city stream.

Narodowe Centrum Nauki, Grant „Epidemia cholery w 1866 r. jako przełom w dziejach Poznania”, UMO-2021/41/B/HS3/00594.