Whooping Cough (original) (raw)
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Whooping cough was first identified in 1578. A highly contagious respiratory disease that is characterized by paroxysms of coughing. Until the 20th century serious complications such as broncho-pneumonia, could lead to death. There now exists a vaccine that confers active immunity against whooping cough. Antibiotics can also be given to combat secondary infections.
Primary Sources
(1) Edwin Chadwick, The Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population (1842)
Number of Deaths in 1838 and 1839 Disease 1838 1839 Typhus 24,577 25,991 Smallpox 16,268 9,131 Measles 6,514 10,937 Whooping Cough 9,107 8,165 Consumption 59,025 59,559 Pneumonia 17,999 18,151