London has been hit by numerous epidemics for which it had no remedy.
Londoners in the 17th century knew that plague would return but were powerless to stop it.
During the deadly Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918-19, influenza was still thought to be caused by bacteria. There was no known way of preventing or curing it, until the development of flu vaccines in the late 1930s.
Today, London has a good public health infrastructure, robust monitoring systems and preventative medicines for some diseases. However, depending on the transmission method of our next epidemic, Londoners could still be at risk. Indeed, London is described as the tuberculosis capital of Western Europe.
Editors note added in 2020: As the current Covid-19 crisis demonstrates, London is vulnerable to epidemics spread through respiratory droplets.
Street Life in London, John Thomson, c 1877
This image shows a street ‘doctor’ peddling patent remedies.
Advert for Flu-Mal, early 20th century
This product claims to prevent and cure both influenza and malaria. Without any proven treatments for flu, many turned to similar products or home remedies.
Pipe and pomander, 17th century
Some thought that smoking pipe tobacco or carrying powerfully scented herbs in pomanders like this would ward off the plague-inducing ‘miasma’ or bad airs.
Tonic, early 20th century
During the Spanish Flu outbreak many were nursed at home by loved ones. Bed rest, hot steam and ineffective shop-bought tonics were often the only treatments available.
Condom and femidom, 1990s-now
For many years the use of condoms was the only method of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Now with early testing, prompt use of antiretroviral drugs and the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the epidemic in Britain could be brought to a close.
