The first cholera pandemic struck Europe in 1817, followed by further outbreaks in 1832, 1849 and 1854.  Somerset was affected in 1832 and 1849, especially the areas around Bridgwater and Taunton.  Large numbers of people died in a frighteningly short time – in Bridgwater, at least 250 people died in the autumn of 1849.

This pack is designed to show contemporary beliefs about the disease and the measures that were taken by individuals and organisations to prevent, contain and treat it.  Responsibility for dealing with the disease lay with the Boards of Health, the boards of local infirmaries, hospitals and workhouses, and the parish vestries; documents from all of these organisations are included.

The sources include information posters, vestry minutes discussing necessary arrangements, details of medicines, minutes from the Bridgwater Infirmary and extracts from burial registers.  They are accompanied by transcriptions, a glossary and hints for how best to use the documents.  There is also background information about the wider context of the epidemics and about cholera.