Dr John Snow’s theory on the etiology of cholera only gained momentum after his death.
During his life, his theory was intensely opposed by the medical establishment who
concluded “we see no reason to adopt [Snow’s] belief” 1 and “the fact is that the well whence
Dr Snow draws all sanitary truth is the main sewer. His specus, or den, is a drain. In riding
his hobby very hard, he has fallen down through a gully-hole and has never since been able
to get out again.”2 So what if Dr Snow had given up after the many rejections and said to
himself “Well, I guess this just isn’t supposed to be?” or “Perhaps my theory is incorrect?”
What a great loss to the future of epidemiology that would have been, as the popular opinion
would have continued to prevail. Dr Snow’s perseverance and commitment to a cause that
evoked his passion was all important as, if he did not have the desire and belief in himself to
keep trying after he had been rejected multiple times or told to quit, he never would have
achieved what he did.
Dr Snow’s strong resolve was greatly supported by his creativity and logical problem
solving through which he pioneered novel epidemiological investigation methodologies such
as medical mapping and conducting surveys used to obtain a large amount of data.3 These
methods allowed him to conclude that individuals affected by cholera shared a common
connection in the use of the local Broad Street water pump. He was further able to test this
theory after disabling the pump by removing its handle. Dr Snow was persuasive through
his graphic presentation of the data he collected, and he was able to use this to influence
others in the field. With some momentum, his work was given some positive recognition, and
this aided in further research, testing and advancement of his theory. Dr Snow’s innovation
and influence in epidemiology persists as these data gathering techniques are still utilised
today.
It is also possible that there were many doctors and researchers investigating the spread of
cholera during Dr Snow’s time, with many competing theories. Dr Snow was able to
distinguish himself from the others not because he did not hold the same views as the
majority, but because he was confident in accepting the risk to his reputation as a result of
publishing his theory and was benevolent in his cause. To help bring awareness to his
theory, Dr Snow delivered speeches presenting his theory to the Board of Guardians.4 Dr
Snow possessed the ability to speak with impeccability – that is, to speak with intention
and integrity – such that his words carried power which is demonstrated by the fact that,
even though the Board did not agree with Dr Snow’s theory, they nevertheless removed the
water pump in issue.
Overall, Dr Snow’s success may also be attributed to his versatility as not only was he a
doctor, but a researcher, pioneer, and advocate, and was able to combine these roles
effectively to influence people in power on issues that were of public importance at the time
and have an enduring impact on modern epidemiology.
1
Robbins R. Profiles in medical courage: John Snow and the courage of conviction. Southwest
Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care [Internet]. 2013 Aug 9 [cited 2019 Dec 3];7(2):87–99. Available
from: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/654826/23283570/1376065596627/063-13.pdf%3Ftoken
%3DfUuMWVanl0KhYeMk5hn3I4EJv6A%253D
2
Snow SJ. John Snow: the making of a hero? The Lancet. 2008 Jul;372(9632):22–3. Available from:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)60978-2/fulltext
3
Holzman RS. John Snow: Anesthesiologist, Epidemiologist, Scientist, and Hero. Anesthesia &
Analgesia. 2021 Apr 29. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33913916/
4
John Snow and the removal of the Broad Street pump handle [Internet]. www.ph.ucla.edu. Available
from: https://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/removal.html
During his life, his theory was intensely opposed by the medical establishment who
concluded “we see no reason to adopt [Snow’s] belief” 1 and “the fact is that the well whence
Dr Snow draws all sanitary truth is the main sewer. His specus, or den, is a drain. In riding
his hobby very hard, he has fallen down through a gully-hole and has never since been able
to get out again.”2 So what if Dr Snow had given up after the many rejections and said to
himself “Well, I guess this just isn’t supposed to be?” or “Perhaps my theory is incorrect?”
What a great loss to the future of epidemiology that would have been, as the popular opinion
would have continued to prevail. Dr Snow’s perseverance and commitment to a cause that
evoked his passion was all important as, if he did not have the desire and belief in himself to
keep trying after he had been rejected multiple times or told to quit, he never would have
achieved what he did.
Dr Snow’s strong resolve was greatly supported by his creativity and logical problem
solving through which he pioneered novel epidemiological investigation methodologies such
as medical mapping and conducting surveys used to obtain a large amount of data.3 These
methods allowed him to conclude that individuals affected by cholera shared a common
connection in the use of the local Broad Street water pump. He was further able to test this
theory after disabling the pump by removing its handle. Dr Snow was persuasive through
his graphic presentation of the data he collected, and he was able to use this to influence
others in the field. With some momentum, his work was given some positive recognition, and
this aided in further research, testing and advancement of his theory. Dr Snow’s innovation
and influence in epidemiology persists as these data gathering techniques are still utilised
today.
It is also possible that there were many doctors and researchers investigating the spread of
cholera during Dr Snow’s time, with many competing theories. Dr Snow was able to
distinguish himself from the others not because he did not hold the same views as the
majority, but because he was confident in accepting the risk to his reputation as a result of
publishing his theory and was benevolent in his cause. To help bring awareness to his
theory, Dr Snow delivered speeches presenting his theory to the Board of Guardians.4 Dr
Snow possessed the ability to speak with impeccability – that is, to speak with intention
and integrity – such that his words carried power which is demonstrated by the fact that,
even though the Board did not agree with Dr Snow’s theory, they nevertheless removed the
water pump in issue.
Overall, Dr Snow’s success may also be attributed to his versatility as not only was he a
doctor, but a researcher, pioneer, and advocate, and was able to combine these roles
effectively to influence people in power on issues that were of public importance at the time
and have an enduring impact on modern epidemiology.
1
Robbins R. Profiles in medical courage: John Snow and the courage of conviction. Southwest
Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care [Internet]. 2013 Aug 9 [cited 2019 Dec 3];7(2):87–99. Available
from: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/654826/23283570/1376065596627/063-13.pdf%3Ftoken
%3DfUuMWVanl0KhYeMk5hn3I4EJv6A%253D
2
Snow SJ. John Snow: the making of a hero? The Lancet. 2008 Jul;372(9632):22–3. Available from:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(08)60978-2/fulltext
3
Holzman RS. John Snow: Anesthesiologist, Epidemiologist, Scientist, and Hero. Anesthesia &
Analgesia. 2021 Apr 29. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33913916/
4
John Snow and the removal of the Broad Street pump handle [Internet]. www.ph.ucla.edu. Available
from: https://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/removal.html
