Contagion in Prussia, 1831: The Cholera Epidemic and the Threat of the Polish Uprising

In 1831, Prussia was consumed by two fears: the possibility of revolution resulting from the 1830 November Uprising of Poland against Russia, and a looming cholera epidemic. As the contagion made its way across Russia that spring, Prussian medical officials took note and prepared to respond to what they thought was a highly contagious disease. When it spread to Poland, Prussia instituted a strict quarantine policy on its border, inhibiting Prussian support of the Russian war effort in Poland. From the Polish perspective the quarantine was seen as a deliberate act of sabotage against the revolution, an attempt to cut off trade with the west.

This book examines the Prussian government’s strict health policy and its consequences, including social unrest and resulting public health reforms. Polish public health policy is investigated in light of the needs of the revolutionary government. Information is provided on the cholera camps established by Prussia to quarantine Polish soldiers who crossed the border as refugees in July 183, the height of the cholera fear in Prussia.