Cholera

Cholera is caused by a bacteria that releases a toxin that increases the release of water into the intestines which produces severe diarrhoea. A medical explanation for a frightening infection caused by contaminated food or water. I felt so powerless to protect my family and myself from one of the most feared physical entities on earth. The cholera epidemic began in the fields outside of Damascus, the capital of Syria. The cultivated land was being irrigated with effluent. It spread its abhorrent disease throughout Syria in the fresh fruit and vegetables that were being grown on the contaminated land. The cause of the outbreak was initially unknown and the Syrian citizens were asked to cook their vegetables and to avoid eating salads which included their favourite tabouli which was made predominately from parsley and was one of the main culprits containing the deadly bacteria.
The summer of the cholera outbreak was dry. Fortunately, Skelbieh's water was supplied by a spring which originated high up in the adjoining mountains.
I washed all fruit and vegetables in soap and antiseptic.
Sadly, an elderly man from Skelbieh died from the infection. One mainly knew about deaths from cholera from word of mouth. It seemed to me to be a matter of chance if one was to be struck down by the scourge. That was a long fearful summer and one thank goodness that was never to be repeated.