18th & 19th century c1500-1700 Flashcards
Who was Edward Jenner and what did he discover?
Edward Jenner was a country doctor who noticed that milkmaids never seemed to catch smallpox, however, they often caught the less serious disease, cowpox. Jenner thought the cowpox may be making them immune. In the 1790s Jenner carried out an experiment, he purposely infected a boy with cowpox, then a few weeks later infected him with smallpox. The boy survived. Jenner had his findings published and by 1800, around 100,000 people had been vaccinated. In 1840 the government started paying for vaccinations, which were made compulsory in 1852
Why did people oppose Jenner?
They thought it was wrong to give people an animal disease, some thought it went against God’s plan, inoculators lost money, and some doctors didn’t vaccinate properly so it didn’t work. One big limitation was that Jenner could not explain why his vaccination worked
Who was John Snow and what did he discover?
John Snow observed the cholera epidemic of 1848/9 and thought it may be spread through contaminated water. When cholera broke out again in 1854, Snow plotted the victims on a map and discovered that they were all close to the Broad Street water pump. Snow removed the handle of the pump and the outbreak stopped. Later it was discovered that a cesspit nearby was leaking into the pump. In 1855, Snow presented his findings to government
Why did people oppose Snow?
Many did not believe him as he had no scientific evidence that cholera was in the water
What was spontaneous generation?
The idea that germs were the result of disease, produced by decaying matter
What did Louis Pasteur do?
In 1861, Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which showed that germs in the air cause decay, he also thought that germs were the cause of disease but struggled to prove it
What did Robert Koch do?
Robert Koch read Pasteur’s work and began to study germs, he proved Pasteur right and discover the germ that caused TB in 1882 and cholera in 1883. Koch also developed chemical stains/dyes which made it easier to see germs under the microscope. Eventually, these discoveries had direct impact on prevention/cure of disease. Koch developed a vaccine for TB and cholera. Pasteur discovered vaccine for rabies, chicken cholera and anthrax.
What did Florence Nightingale do to improve hospital care?
During the Crimean War, Nightingale read reports of high death rates in military hospitals. She decided to help, even though nursing was not seen as a respectable job. After training, Nightingale led a team of nurses in Scutari. She emphasised the importance of good hygiene, fresh air, clean water and good supplies. She reduced the death rate from 42% to 2%. Nightingale published her notes on nursing and developed specialist training colleges for nurses. There were significant changes in hospital care: new hospitals opened, cottage hospitals established, due to Nightingale nurses were better trained, infirmaries were set up for the poorest in society, specialist hospitals (e.g. asylums) were developed, standards for hygiene improved enormously.
What were the three main problems during surgery at this time?
Pain, blood loss and infection
What were the developments in anaesthetics?
1) before 1800 they used opium and alcohol,
2) laughing gas was developed in 1844 but the patient wasn’t unconscious and could still feel pain,
3) In 1836 Humphrey Davy developed ether which made patients unconscious but it irritated the lungs and was highly flammable,
4) In 1847, James Simpson developed chloroform which was very effective although an incorrect dosage could kill the patient and it was opposed by many. People thought it was natural to experience pain (God’s will) and it was wrong to interfere. However, its popularity grew when it was endorsed by Queen Victoria in childbirth,
5) Cocaine was used in 1884 and in 1905 a less addictive version was created
What were the developments in antiseptics at this time?
1) Before Joseph Lister introduced antiseptics, half of the patients would die from infection after surgery,
2) in 1864, Lister learns that antiseptics are used to kill germs in sewage,
3) in 1865 Lister starts to soak bandages in carbolic acid to stop wounds from getting infected,
4) in 1866 Lister invented carbolic spray to use during surgery. This reduced deaths from infection but had side effects: it cracked the surgeon’s skin, irritated the lungs and made surgery messy and difficult. Lister’s work inspired others to develop other methods of preventing infection. Eventually, aseptic surgery developed (completely germ-free surgery)
What were the developments of vaccines at this time?
1) Pasteur developed germ theory, 2) Pasteur and his scientists understood why vaccines worked, 3) Koch developed staining which meant it was possible to identify specific germs that caused diseases, this led to many more vaccines,
4) Pasteur developed vaccines for chicken cholera, anthrax and rabies – Koch developed vaccines for TB and cholera,
5) scientists went on to create many more vaccines
How did the government play a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease?
In 1875, they introduced the Public Health Act which provided: clean water, sewers, public toilets, and street lighting. Authorities also had to check new houses, check the quality of food and employ a medical health officer to monitor disease.
