HERE it may be useful to make a brief allusion to some of the
circumstances connected with the progress of the disease in this rural
district. The first patient who died of the cholera at Underwood,
arrived there two days before she was taken ill, from Plymouth, where the
disease was making fearful havoc. After her death, nearly a fortnight
elapsed, when two other deaths occurred, of persons who were dwelling
near the centre of the village. Then the disease visited the extreme
western end, taking its course eastward, and at that end finished its
career. The time of its duration was between two and three months: its
fatal effects were limited to about five weeks.
Nearly a month after the disease had visited Plympton St. Mary, it
proceeded to Plympton St. Maurice, commencing on the 12th of August, in
the middle of the town; then, as it had done at Underwood, it went to the
western extremity, afterwards taking its course eastward, and, on the
20th of September, ceased at one of the last houses in that direction.
Although in both parishes its fatal effects were limited to five weeks,
it lingered in the neighbourhood some weeks afterwards.
It may be supposed that, because the malady, during the later period of
its existence at Underwood, did not prove fatal, it was understood better
than at first, and that the medical treatment was on that account more
successful. But if so, it would not have been so fatal afterwards at
Plympton; as it was in the hands of the same medical practitioner.
It may be worthy of remark, that towards the end of August, the weather
became cooler, and the vapour which rises in the valley below Underwood,
concentrated in a white frost, though in a slight degree, in the month of
September; to which the gradual disappearance of the disease was in some
measure attributed.
By the entries in the Register of Burials, it appears that the deaths
were,—males, 14, females, 16; total, 30. One male only died between the
ages of 10 and 39. One female only died between the ages of 10 and 45.
Two males died upwards of 50 years of age; viz., 53 and 72. Five females
died upwards of 50 years of age; viz., 56, 67, 75, 76, and 77.