TreStoreKøbenhavnskeEpidemier-3.31.2016 11-22-36 PM

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 199