Cholera in quebec in 1832, oil on canvas by joseph légaré, national gallery of canada, no. 7157. “in 1832, the west was struck by cholera. Coming from india, it first appeared in france and england before appearing in america. It was mainly irish immigrants who dreamed of a better life and came to america who carried the disease. Quebec is no exception and the first cases appear there at the beginning of june. Ultimately, in 1832, out of a population of less than 25,000 people, it was estimated that more than 2,000 inhabitants died, and that's not counting the immigrants themselves. Knowledge at the time was limited and two groups of doctors clashed. There are those who believe that the disease is transmitted by contagion and those who attribute it to miasmas, that is to say those clouds of emanations coming from stagnant water, rubbish or decomposing materials. There will be another episode of cholera in quebec in 1834, but of less severity. It was during the epidemic of 1832 that the cholera cemetery on grande allée was opened (at the corner of avenue de salaberry) as well as the quarantine station on grosse-île. In one of his works, the painter joseph légaré represented the cholera crisis of 1832. This painting is very telling. The scene takes place in the upper town market square, at night to add to the drama. It is interesting to observe a series of fires burning along the rue de buade and rue des jardins. We wanted to burn the miasmas. The representation is quite realistic, although the crowd pacing the market square is rather improbable, the frightened people remaining cloistered in their homes, the wealthiest having even left the city. This is a crisis that quebecers will remember for a long time. » – quebec historical society - thanks to historian réjean lemoine for his explanations. Date: 1832.
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