The Groninger ziekte (also called ‘''intermittent fevers''’) that broke out in 1826 was a
malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
epidemic that killed 2,844 people—nearly 10% of the population of the city of
Groningen.
In February 1825 the
dikes
Dyke (UK) or dike (US) may refer to:
General uses
* Dyke (slang), a slang word meaning "lesbian"
* Dike (geology), a subvertical sheet-like intrusion of magma or sediment
* Dike (mythology), ''Dikē'', the Greek goddess of moral justice
* Dikes ...
broke in several places causing widespread flooding in the region. The decay of plants and cattle under swamp-like conditions and the flooding of the city of
Groningen in 1826 in the subsequent hot spring and summer of 1826 led to the epidemic.
Sibrandus Stratingh was among those infected and was bedridden for two months, and recommended the use of
chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between them. Chlorine i ...
(which was recently discovered by that time) to aid with reducing the epidemic. Groningen became the first known city to use chlorine for this purpose.
The epidemic also hit
Friesland
Friesland (, ; official fry, Fryslân ), historically and traditionally known as Frisia, is a province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen, northwest of Drenthe and Overijssel, north of ...
and the
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
Wadden Sea region. The
Frisian town of
Sneek
Sneek (; fy, Snits) is a city southwest of Leeuwarden and the seat of the former municipality of Sneek in the province of Friesland, Netherlands. As of 2011 it is the seat of the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân (Southwest Friesland). T ...
reported a tripling of the number of deaths in 1826 as compared to previous years.
References
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1826 disease outbreaks
1826 disasters in the Netherlands
19th-century epidemics
History of Groningen (city)
Malaria
1826 in the Netherlands
Disease outbreaks in the Netherlands
Events in Groningen (city)
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