1832 cholera outbreak in Maryport, Cumberland

[Kendra71]

Hello, I would be grateful for help with the bracketed word in the following please, a letter from 1832 regarding a cholera outbreak in Maryport, Cumberland. It was written by a visitor to the town from nearby Whitehaven. Many thanks.

@Admin - the image is copied from an active Ebay listing, not my own (title "1836 WHITEHAVEN - Lord Lowther - ELECTIONS-CHOLERA outbreak to Henry Howard"), so I hope it is alright to post here. Please delete if not. The letter is 1832, not 1836 as listed.

I've got the following so far...

The Cholera [?] has been in Whitehaven for this last week, but not to any great extent. There have only been ten or dozen deaths. I was in Maryport the other, where I found the [?] [?] prevailing in consequence of the Epidemic having shown itself in a most virulent Character. Business was at a [?] [?], & many of the shops closed.

[teragram31510]

Morbus (i.e. disease)
greatest consternation

Business was at a new rate (? or state?)

[AlanBoyd]

Agree with morbus. Note that “cholera morbus” was a term used for gastroenteritis, not actual cholera. Of course, the writer may have been confused about what it meant.

[Kendra71]

Thank you both. Alan, good to know, and I think you're right about the writer's misunderstanding if that's the case, as there was indeed a cholera outbreak at this time.

I had wondered about "business at a noted still" for the final one... I can see a dot in the middle of the second word, and wonder if the crossed "t" has just come a bit late!

[Bookbox]

Business was at a stand still ...

[Kendra71]

Bookbox, I think that's it. I have to squint a bit and let my imagination run free to get to "Stand" but I think you're right. A quick up and down for the "S", a late crossing of the "t" and so on. Thanks.

[KGarrad]

The Global Second Cholera Pandemic reached England in October 1831, starting in Sunderland.
Spread throughout UK, even reaching the Isle of Man in 1832!