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Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates
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[Hospital records from the cholera epidemic in Bergen 1848-1849]

P Oeding1

  • 1Avdeling for mikrobiologi, og immunologi, Gades Institutt, Universitetet i Bergen.

Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke
|December 10, 1994
PubMed

Insights

During Bergen's 1848-49 cholera epidemic, 707 patients were hospitalized, with a 60.8% mortality rate. Experience and potentially better nursing at the Christi Krybbe hospital may explain its lower patient death rates.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health History

Context:

  • The 1848-49 cholera epidemic in Bergen, Norway.
  • Establishment and operation of three dedicated cholera hospitals.
  • Analysis of patient records from these historical cholera treatment centers.

Purpose:

  • To analyze patient demographics, treatment outcomes, and mortality rates within Bergen's cholera hospitals during the 1848-49 epidemic.
  • To investigate factors influencing mortality, including hospital, patient age, sex, and epidemic progression.

Summary:

  • Of 1,024 cholera cases in Bergen, 707 were hospitalized, resulting in 430 deaths (60.8% mortality).
  • Women comprised a slightly larger proportion of hospitalized patients, were older on average than men, but experienced similar mortality rates.
  • Christi Krybbe hospital, operational throughout the epidemic, admitted the oldest patients but reported the lowest mortality, suggesting potential benefits from experienced staff and improved nursing.

Impact:

  • Provides insights into historical cholera treatment efficacy and hospital management during epidemics.
  • Highlights the importance of experienced medical staff and nursing care in improving patient outcomes.
  • Demonstrates the temporal trends in cholera mortality during an epidemic, with initial peaks followed by a decline.

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