The Great Trouble

Tuesday, September 5

The next day, Eel is proud to be helping an important scientist. He and Snow return to Broad Street with Florrie’s map in hand. They spot Betsy Griggs and her dog, Dilly. Betsy’s aunt will take the girl in but will not allow Dilly to accompany them, and Betsy is bereft. When Dr. Snow grants his permission, Eel agrees to take care of Dilly and promises to come visit Betsy soon. Snow surprises Eel by admitting his affection for dogs. They go to the General Register Office, which keeps records of births and deaths, and obtain records of all who have died in the parishes near Broad Street since the previous Friday. Dilly waits outside the grand building.

Inside, they meet Dr. Farr, who reports that 83 people have died from the outbreak thus far, with 79 of those deaths occurring in the previous two days. He warns that these numbers are not up to date and predicts 500 deaths by the end of the week. Snow introduces Eel, who grows nervous when Dr. Farr seems to recognize him. However, he rationalizes that the doctor is too important to consort with Fisheye Bill. Dr. Farr is “not yet” convinced by Snow’s water theory but offers to help however he can. However, as the office is short-staffed, it is up to Eel to copy out the names and addresses of the dead. Eel is nervous that he will lose his new position because of his unpracticed handwriting. He cautions himself not to grow accustomed to this easy job. He arranges to meet Dr. Snow and Dilly at the Broad Street pump at noon and sets to his task. He thinks of his father, who was a clerk, which helps him gain confidence for his task.

Two hours later, Eel finishes the list and delivers it to Snow on Broad Street. As they prepare to visit the homes of the deceased, Dr. Snow coaches Eel on how to ask the right questions, building on their “Five W’s” schema. Snow warns Eel that most people will ignore their warnings about the Broad Street pump due to the pervasiveness of the miasma theory. However, Snow is confident that he will convince people in the long run. He instructs Eel to make a small rectangle on Florrie’s map for each confirmed death. If Dr. Snow’s theory is correct, this map will show that the greatest density of deaths surrounds the Broad Street pump.

By afternoon, Eel is conducting interviews without Dr. Snow. However, he feels that he suffers more sadness than the doctor does because he knows the families in the area personally. Some people respond positively to Eel’s assertion that the water from Broad Street may spread the disease. A little boy in an afflicted house reminds Eel of Henry and makes him recall his mother’s struggles to earn money after Eel’s father died. (Her decreasing eyesight led to her decreasing income as a seamstress and compelled her to marry Fisheye Bill.) Now, Snow is worried about gaining sufficient evidence. He and Eel return to Sackville Street that evening, and Eel’s insight helps Snow to realize that some residents may have inadvertently consumed Broad Street water by eating an Italian ice. Despite these discoveries, Snow is not sure whether the committee will be convinced to block public access to the Broad Street pump. He plans to develop another strategy overnight.

Wednesday, September 6

The next morning, Eel tends to the animals, amused by their antics. When he and Dr. Snow discuss their plans for the day, a guinea pig sitting apart from its peers gives Eel an idea. He suggests finding a cholera patient who lives far away from the outbreak but happened to get water from the Broad Street pump. Such a discovery would indicate that the illness came from the water, not the air. Snow approves of Eel’s cleverness and agrees that they must find the “unexpected case.” Snow leaves for a dental surgery, but Eel continues investigating.

After a morning of interviews, Eel has found no new clues, so he visits Florrie. Her brother, Danny, reports that their mother has died. Florrie is also ill. Danny goes back inside to tend to her, leaving Eel dumbstruck. Gus, the Broad Street boy with a crush on Florrie, has brought her violets, which he regrets not having picked in Hampstead, where he delivered water from the Broad Street pump. The woman to whom Gus delivered water, Widow Eley, has also died. Eel asks for her address.