In 1856 Madeira was devastated by a cholera epidemic, a calamity that remained for a long in the collective memory and highlighted the poor hygiene and misery of the majority of the population. It killed 7,041 Madeirans. Despite this
frightening number, during the cholera outbreak occurred in 1910-1911, part of the population refused to accept the control measures and especially the restrictions concerning gatherings and socializing as well as the isolation of infected people at home or at hospitals and riots spread all over the island. In fact, there were cases of violence against drivers who took patients to hospitals, bomb threats, assaults to the jail and the pier and consequently the armed forces were asked to intervene.
The firm action of the government and the increasing death toll ended up by taming the resistance, naturally fueled by the political and social instability of the time, together with prejudice and ignorance, and gradually measures adopted by the administrations of the different municipalities were accepted. The support of the Central Government by sending medical delegations and various resources in addition to the creation of the Department of Sanitary Services that supervised disinfection procedures and the transportation of infected people, resulted in a lower death rate when compared to the figures in 1856, amounting to only 556 fatalities. The epidemic was declared extinct on February 24th, 1911.
Madeira Photography Museum – Atelier Vicente’s
Sanitary Brigade during the 1910-1911 cholera epidemic, in the courtyard of the Funchal City Hall building – Taken around 1910-11-18 and 1911-02-24
Dimension 17.8 x 23.8 cm | Simple negative, Glass | Gelatin-silver print PT / ABM / PER / A-A / 001/000004
PER / 586
Sanitary Brigade of the Funchal Sanitary Department, during the Cholera epidemic, next to the Blandy Brothers’ arsenal, in Campo Almirante Reis-
Taken around 1910-11-18 and 1911-02-24
Dimension 17.8 x 23.8 cm | Simple negative, Glass | Gelatin-silver print PT / ABM / PER / A-A / 001/000005
PER / 587