John Snow and the Tower of London

The first day of my very first epidemiology class we learned about John Snow, the grandfather of epidemiology. He systematically collected information about a London Soho outbreak of cholera in 1854 and traced the source. He showed that the Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company took water from sewage-polluted sections of the Thames and delivered the water to the Broad Street pump, fueling the epidemic.

The John Snow pub, located at the site of the pump is a place of pilgrimage for epidemiologists.

Curb stone marks the spot of the original pump.

We planned to have lunch at the pub, then make our way to the Tower of London. But they don't serve children or allow them inside! True of all Soho pubs we were informed.

Mike and I took turns dashing inside. I signed the book, something that has to be done.

Epi humor.

Broad Street pump replica.

Covent Garden Market.

Resting along the way.

Moon over St. Paul's.

Between St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London, there is a memorial of the Great Fire of London which started in the bakery of Thomas Faryner in Pudding Lane a little after midnight on September 2, 1666.

The fire gutted the medieval City of London, destroying the homes of 70,000 to 80,000 people, 87 parish churches and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Enjoying a lolly on Pudding Lane.

At the Tower of London we toured the medieval palace and walked the East wall. 

Dominic seemed especially excited when I gave them the choice of touring the medieval palace. "Yeah! Let's go there!" I was a little confused by his enthusiasm.

About halfway through he declared, "THIS ISN'T A MEDIEVAL PALACE!"

He was expecting something truly evil, definitely not this charming chantry.

Medieval palace floor.

In the photo below are cages with ravens. There is a myth/prophecy that predicts the Kingdom and Tower will crumble if the six ravens ever leave the tower. There are quite a few hopping around the grounds.

Checking out the ravens.

Right now there is an exhibit about the Royal Menagerie. For 600 years wild animals were kept in the palace, some of them in cages like this one.

The story I thought was most interesting was ‘a white bear’ given to Henry III by King Haakon of Norway in 1252 (believed to be a polar bear). The bear was given a long leash so it could swim in the river Thames and catch fish.

Flat Eli came along for the ride!

Flat Eli on the Tower Bridge.

And back to our car.