Journal of Letters
Publication Date
2025-12-28
Abstract
This article aims to explore the history of cholera in Thailand from 1820 to 1959, focusing on disease prevention and the evolving treatment methods for cholera patients across different historical periods. The article argues that knowledge about pathogens and the discovery of Vibrio cholerae as the cause of cholera did not lead to significant changes in cholera prevention and treatment methods before the mid-20th century. Methods like maintaining hygiene, implementing quarantine, and treating the disease with Western medicine and intravenous saline infusions were already known and utilized before the acceptance of germ theory and before the discovery of bacteria as the cause of cholera. These practices continued to be developed and applied, except in the case of vaccine production resulting directly from the discovery of Vibrio cholerae. However, despite the widespread adoption and administration of vaccines for prevention, their efficacy remained questionable. Furthermore, this article suggests that cholera prevention and treatment in Thailand was closely linked to advancements in medical knowledge in the Western and colonial world. This connection meant that Thailand both received knowledge about cholera and its prevention and treatment methods from the West, and served as a crucial site for generating significant knowledge about cholera, including new patient treatment methods, with the active participation of Thai doctors and researchers, which also contributed to the international medical circle.
First Page
59
Last Page
81
Recommended Citation
Photpun, Suwasadee
(2025)
"From Plague to Cholera: The Prevention and Treatments of Cholera in Thailand, 1820–1959,"
Journal of Letters: Vol. 54:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/jletters/vol54/iss2/4