Format

Dr Geoffrey Todd is a member of the Ulster Reform Club and has a keen interest in medical history. In 1985, he was appointed by the Northern Health &Social Services Board to the post of Consultant General Physician with a special interest in lung diseases. Since 2005 he has been based at the Ulster Independent Clinic in Belfast.

Dr Todd will focus on the severity of the epidemic and the consequences this had for early Belfast. The first case of cholera in Belfast occurred in February 1832 in Quay Lane. The victim died less than 24 hours later. The disease spread rapidly in a population weakened by poverty and the effects of the Famine of 1821-2. Across Ireland 50,000 would die. It was the worst epidemic since the Black Death of 1350. Belfast ran out of both coffins and graveyard space resulting in 100s being buried in cholera pits.

The talk examines the unusual treatments prescribed by 19^th Century physicians and the general panic in the population.

The format will be as follows:

10.30 am coffee/tea available to purchase

11.00 am talk begins

12 – 12.15 pm Q&A

12.30 pm Lunch pre-booked in advance

All Club members are very welcome and may invite guests both to the talk and to lunch but please inform the Club of their names for our Concierge at the front door and for the Dining Room.

When booking please advise of any dietary requirements. As we do not ask for payment in advance, it is important that you keep us advised of any changes to your booking.

We look forward to seeing you and your guests.

Jim Fitzsimons