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all towns and a superior commission i Copenhagen.
The prevailing opinion o f epidemic diseases opposed the theory, that transmission
o f infection was the cause o f spreading, and as a result the quarantine for cholera was
canceled in 18 5 2 . Leading hygienists in Denmark demanded sanitary reforms as pro
tection against epidemics. This however was opposed by the goverment for economic
reasons.
Copenhagen was a densely populated dirty city with a primitive system o f scaven
ging and drinking-water o f poor quality.
From 18 4 1 there was only one medical training. It was the one belonging under the
Medical Faculty. Copenhagen was quite well supplied with doctors. There were two
hospitals: Almindelig Hospital and Frederiks Hospital. There was no special isolation
hospital.
The epidemic broke out in June 18 5 3 and spread rapidly through the poor quarters.
Particularly hard hit were the districts o f St. Annæ, Christianshavn and Nyboder. The
superior Health Commission established emergency hospitals as well as a number o f
notification offices all over Copenhagen. The district medical officers were directed to
check the whole town. Volunteers were appointed to assist both in the town and in
the hospitals. The epidemic soon left the official Health Commission behind, and a
group o f medical officers set up a private organization named »the Cholera Organiza
tion» or »the Medical Association against Cholera». This organization which was fi
nanced by private people tried to follow the methods indicated by the hygienists: in
spection o f threatened parts o f the town, attempts o f sanitary improvements on the
spot and evacuation o f families with several cholera cases, and o f those living in parti
cularly poor dwellings.
The organization worked with untiring energy and with quite some result. At least
it gave moral support to the exposed inhabitans.
Worst hit o f all were the inmates o f Almindelig Hospital, where the mortality rose
to 88 %, and everything was on the point o f collapsing in the overcrowded old-fa
shioned wards.
When the epidemic was at its highest, critical voices were heard in the press both
from the opposition (Fædrelandet) and the traditionally loyalist organs (fx. Berlingske
Tidende).
Sanitary reforms and more active efforts in the fight against the epidemic were de
manded. A fter the epidemic the hygienists were in a strong position. The insistence on
reforms was now supported by the wide experience from the epidemic. Even if the
matter o f sewerage came to a standstill, the plans for renewal o f the water supply and
installation o f gas for lighting were carried out. To replace Almindelig Hospital a new
municipal hospital was built.
The renowned »Lægeforeningens Boliger» (residences belonging to the Medical
Assocation) were built from what was left o f the money collected for the combating
o f the epidemic.
The following persons were among those who worked for control o f the epidemic:
Oluf Lundt Bang, M.D., professor medicinae. He was the Danish nestor o f medicine,
famous and beloved. Although his posthumous works seem to be o f very little scienti
fic importance to-day, in places even unintentionally comic, his mere presence inspired
calmness and conficence into his fellow-workers. Bang was a member o f the superior
Health Commission.
Frederik Vilhelm Mansa, M.D., colonel M.C. o f the naval defence. Mansa was de-
canus in the Health Department and as chief o f the Navy Hospital and o f the medical
services in Nyboder, he was treating the first cases o f the epidemic. His contribution
was characterized b y energy and effiency.
Emil Hornemann, M.D\, Medical officers o f Livsforsikringsanstalten (life assurance
office). Hornemann was the moving spirit o f the criticism o f hygiene before the epi
demic, and he was the prime mover in the medical organization against cholera. E x
ceptionally energetic and experienced it is largely due to him, that the fight against
the epidemic was started quickly, and untraditional methods were used. Hornemann
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