1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak
The Broad Street cholera outbreak (or Golden Square outbreak) was an outbreak of cholera that happened in 1854 near Broad Street (now Broadwick Street) in Soho, London, England. The even happened during the worldwide 1846–1860 cholera pandemic. The outbreak caused the deaths of 616 people. It is best known for the physician John Snow's study of what caused it. He said that germ-contaminated water was the source of cholera. The common belief was that it was caused by particles in the air. This was referred to as "miasma". His discovery led to changes in public health. It also caused changes to the construction of sanitation facilities in the mid-19th century.