18 and 19 century medicine Flashcards
What time period did 18th and 19th century fall under
1700 - 1900. This was a time of breakthroughs in medicine in England. There were many scientific discoveries but also many public health problems
What happened in 1798
Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine for smallpox
What happened in 1847
James Simpson developed chloroform as an anaesthetic
What happened in 1854
John Snow’s maps proved the source of cholera
What happened in 1861
Louis Pasteur’s germ theory was published
What happened in 1867
Lister used antiseptic to prevent infection
What happened in 1875
The Public Health Act Local councils had to provide sewers, drainage and fresh water as well as medical officers
What happened in 1882
Robert Koch identified bacteria that caused specific diseases
Why were the major breakthroughs in nursing during this period
Nurses are responsible for the care of patients in the hospital. Before 1800, hospitals were dangerous places where death was very likely. The development of nursing changed that
Define the term breakthrough
A scientific discovery that dramatically alters the way people understood disease eg discovery of bacteria. This then helps the problem to be solved
How was public health affected during this period
When the government takes measures to prevent diseases spreading, and to help the population become healthier. The government took on this role after the development of germ theory
Vaccine
The injection into the body of killed or weakened organisms to give the body resistance against the disease
Anaesthetic
Drugs are given to make someone unconscious before or after surgery
Smallpox
A dangerous disease-causing fever that was beaten by vaccination
Infection
The formation of disease-causing germs
Cholera
A bacterial infection caused by drinking water
Germ Theory
The theory that germs caused disease
Antiseptic
Chemicals used to destroy bacteria and prevent infection
Medical Officer
A person appointed to look after the public health of an area
Contagion
The passing of disease from one person to another
Epidemic
Widespread outbreak of a disease
Sanitation
Providing disposal of human waste and dispensing clean water to improve public health
Workhouses
Accommodation for poor people who could not afford to pay for rent and food
Dispensary
A place where medicines are given out
Voluntary hospital
Hospitals supported by charitable donations
Chloroform
A liquid whose vapours act as an anaesthetic and produces unconsciousness
Industrial Revolution
A period of British history when industries transformed society
