Death and cholera epidemic, 1830s satire. French satirical poet Auguste-Marseille Barthelemy published weekly satirical verses from 1831 to 1832 in his 'Nemesis' series. This one is titled 'Cholera Morbus', referring to the deaths caused by cholera. Cholera is a bacterial infection of the small intestine that is transmitted via contaminated food or water. The bacterium causing the disease produces a toxin that causes diarrhoea and severe dehydration. It was often fatal before modern treatments were developed. It spread in infected water supplies and killed millions in the 19th century. The bacterium causing the disease (Vibrio cholerae) was not identified until 1883. This illustration is from an edition of Barthelemy's satires published in 1845, in Paris, France.