This is a compilation of three films for KS3 History students about a public health issue of the 19th century - the Cholera epidemic.
The Cholera epidemic of 1832 affected Europe, London and then it spread to other parts of the UK, killing many people.
The reason for the epidemic was put down to crammed housing conditions and very poor sanitisation (including unclean water.)
The first two short films look at the epidemic in Manchester, where it was estimated there were close to 700 deaths. The films take the form of 5-minute drama reconstructions, focusing on one particular family and a doctor's (Dr Henry Gaulter) efforts to work out what was causing this disease.
The third film features the government's efforts to tackle cholera and experts Dr William Duncan and James Riddel-Wood who discuss the epidemic.
Teacher review is advised prior to showing these clips to the class.
The Manchester Cholera Epidemic of 1832 (pt 1/2)
The Manchester cholera epidemic of 1832 (pt 2/2)
Health and housing in the 19th century
A 5-minute dramatisation of a young girl who is very ill. Dr Henry Gaulter has begun to plot cholera outbreaks on a map and begins to believe there is a link between poverty and cholera.
Dr Henry Gaulter's cholera map led him to believe housing played a role in the spread of cholera in parts of Britain. The voice-over explains why back-to-backs were a haven for infectious disease.
In March 1840, the government set up a Parliamentary Health Select Committee to try to deal with the cholera epidemic, as this dramatisation illustrates.
Teacher Notes
The first two clips will provide students with an overview of the role of Dr Henry Gaulter in solving the Manchester Cholera epidemic. Students will be able to gather information on the living conditions in the back-to-back housing and the connection between this and the spread of the disease. Students will be able to examine and discuss the role of profiteering in the construction of the back-to-backs and contrast this with Gaulter's sense of social conscience.
After watching the two clips, the teacher could hold an imaginary news conference with the teacher in role as Dr Henry Gaulter, answering challenging questions from a class of reporters. Points could be awarded for especially useful questions, that determine what the cholera epidemic is and what might be done about it, with a prize certificate for the 'journalist of the lesson.'
The third clip, which looks at the wider issue of public health in the 19th century, could be used to introduce the role of the government in public health. It could be used as an initial stimulus question: 'What should the government do?' or a role-play discussion between labourers and landlords, to imagine a debate from the time.
Curriculum Notes
These clips are relevant for teaching KS3 History in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and third level in Scotland.
