In 1831, Cholera swept from Asia across Continental Europe, killing millions and throwing the medical profession into confusion. John Snow worked out that cholera spreads through drinking water. Drawing on 19th century medical, political and personal records, this book presents various diversions into aspects of medical and social history.

In the eighteenth century it was criminally easy to bump off unwanted relatives. A Household Thrown into Chaos Plumstead village, 2 November 1833. Wealthy landlord, George Bodle is taken violently ill. He dies within hours. When his wife, daughter and two maids are also taken ill, there is only one terrifying explanation ...arsenic poisoning. A Murder Most Foul Yet, while arsenic was readily available over the counter in the 1800s, poisoning was almost impossible to prove. As the evidence mounted up, a picture emerged of bitter family rivalries, brewing resentment, greed and ill-will. A...