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The Great Stench or the fool's argument.

J D Thompson¹

¹Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.

The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

|September 1, 1991

Summary

The 1858 Great Stench in London spurred major infrastructure changes, including new sewers and embankments. Despite fears of cholera, public reaction to the severe smell threat was surprisingly muted.

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Area of Science:

Environmental History
Urban Planning
Public Health

Background:

The "Great Stench" of London in June-July 1858 was a pivotal event preceding the bacteriological era.
Public health concerns were dominated by miasma theory, linking disease to foul air.

Observation:

The intense smell led to significant urban planning decisions, including the design of London's large oval brick sewers.
Contemporary media, such as The Times and Punch, documented public and medical reactions to the pervasive odor.

Findings:

The stench directly resulted in the planning and construction of London's modern embankments and sewer systems.
Despite the severity of the smell and fears of cholera, public outcry and reaction to the threat were less pronounced than might be expected.

Implications:

The event catalyzed crucial, long-lasting improvements in London's sanitation infrastructure.
Understanding historical public health responses to environmental crises offers insights into societal reactions to perceived threats.

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