19th Century Public Health

Question 1

What disease plagued England in the 19th Century?

Answer 1

Cholera - first major epidemic in 1831

Question 2

What did people believe caused cholera?

Answer 2

Miasma

Question 3

Who was Edwin Chadwick? (2)

Answer 3

1. 1842: published a government commissioned report, “On the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population”
2. Report noted:

a) the link between filth and disease
b) loss of life was greater from filthy conditions than war
c) need to improve drainage and sewage systems
d) every town should appoint a medical officer to prevent disease

Question 4

What did the government do in 1848?

Answer 4

1848: Created the first Public Health Act which contained some of Chadwick recommendations, but was not compulsory

Question 5

Who was John Snow? (3)

Answer 5

1. 1854: Proved that cholera was a waterborne disease by investigating the Broad Street Pump and noting the link between those who drank from the pump and those who contracted cholera
2. Proved that cholera was NOT caused by miasma but through contagion
3. Provided evidence to prove the necessity of clean water but the government didn’t do anything until the Great Stink

Question 6

What was the Great Stink?

Answer 6

1858: hot summer weather exacerbated the smell of untreated waste in the River Thames

Question 7

Who was Joseph Bazalgette? (3)

Answer 7

1. 1858: Government commissioned Joseph Bazalgette to build sewer systems - abandoned laissez-faire b/c the smell had invaded Parliament
2. 1866: 82 miles of sewers covered most of London
3. Built his sewer network with the anticipation of a growing population in mind - still used today

Question 8

What happened in 1875?

Answer 8

Second Public Health Act 1875 - ENFORCED LAWS on slum clearance, provisions of sewers and clean water and mandatory medical officers in every area