Saturday 23 February 2013

His age was thirty-three, and his habit spare

The first reported death of a cholera victim in England, Oswald Reay, engine-man at Mr. Crawhall's ropery, Sunderland:-

SYMPTOMS OF OSWALD REAY'S CASE, AS REPORTED TO, OR WITNESSED BY, HIS PROFESSIONAL ATTENDANTS

His age was thirty-three, and his habit spare. At 11 p.m., 26th of October, 1831, having been previously in ill-health, he experienced a feeling of death, lips and aspect blue, purging of a liquid like thin gruel, spasms of the feet, extending up the legs to the stomach, occasional vomiting of similar fluid. In the night the neighbours alarmed by his groans. Domestic aid given. Brandy refused. At 8 o'clock a.m., sent for professional advice ; not obtained. At 3 p.m. prescribed for by Mr. Parr. At half past 5 visited by Dr. M'Whirter and Dr. White. Extremities then cold, pulse imperceptible, skin cold and clammy, extreme thirst, but mind tranquil; no urine passed since the commencement of the attack; distressing symptoms relieved by the measures employed. At half past 9, easier, but no re-action. At 12, breathing slow and laborious, incipient coma. Died tranquilly at half past 4 a.m., 29.5 hours from the commencement of the illness.

The Times, 5 November 1831

7 comments:

  1. Hey Lee, I'm very much looking forward to posts on and around Dr Snow and the pump on Broadstreet (including cesspit and all the yummy stuff)
    Cheers
    Annelie

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  2. We may get there in the end ... just a couple of turbulent decades to skip through yet.

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  3. Having been born in Sunderland, I'm very interested in reading about the first cholera epidemic there--the first in the country, I believe. Articles about Jack Crawford, the Sunderland native who was the hero in the Battle of Camperdown, nailing his "colours to the mast", is often referred to as the first man to die of cholera in Sunderland, but although his death was one of the early ones, he didn't die until November 9th, 1831.

    I have a nice little book--reproduction of a contemporary account--entitled "History and Medical Treatment of Cholera, as it Appeared in Sunderland in 1831" by W. Haslewood and W. Mordey. (Alison)

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    1. Not so much about Sunderland, but a very good book generally is 'Cholera 1832' by R.J.Morris - well worth a look.

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  4. Thanks for the reference, Lee. Book seems a bit pricey on Amazon, but I'll keep looking. Alison

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    1. Try abebooks.com, much better for old stuff like that.

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  5. Yes, I found it on Abe Books for far less, and even allowing for postage to USA, where I now live, it was very reasonable. Thanks!

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