Disease In The Cities/Miasmatic Theory Flashcards
What was the Miasmatic Theory?
The Miasmatic Theory was the theory that diseases were spread by breathing foul air that contained disease in them.
What were issues with the Miasmatic Theory?
-Hard to explain how different diseases could be transmitted to some people but not others
-A lack of scientific explanation for how this theory was developed
Who was someone who supported the Miasmatic Theory, and what did he do?
Edwin Chadwick. He forced local authorities to flush sewers, but this only led to lots of filth being in the Thames River.
How did filth in the Thames River relate to spreading disease?
The Thames River was the source of water which everyone used to, for example, drink water and shower with. Obviously, this led to water-borne disease spreading like wildfire.
What are diseases that are water-borne?
Typhoid Fever, Cholera
Who lived longer: The rich or the poor?
The rich
Who lived longer: The country or the city? (people)
The country (people)
CHOLERA: List the source(s) of contamination, and symptom(s).
Source of Contamination: Contact (e.g same toilet), Drinking Water
Symptoms: Going blue, Cramps, Diarrhoea, Vomiting
SMALLPOX: List the source(s) of contamination, and symptom(s).
Source of Contamination: Close distance (e.g slums)
Symptoms: High fever, head and body aches, bumps, blisters (which turned into severe scarring)
TYPHUS: List the source(s) of contamination, and symptom(s)
Source of Contamination: Lice, Damp/crowded/unhygienic Conditions (e.g prisons)
Symptoms: Headache, Backache, Fever, Rash
Which disease was known as Gaol Fever?
TYPHUS
TYPHOID (FEVER): List the source(s) of contamination, and symptom(s)
Source of Contamination: Water Supplies (e.g rainwater, groundwater), bad sanitation
Symptoms: Headache, Backache, Fever, Rash
TUBERCULOSIS: List the source(s) of contamination, and symptom(s)
Source of Contamination: Sputum/Bacilli in the air
Symptoms: Tubercles built on lung, yellow/bloody sputum
Who was the first person to doubt the Miasma Theory?
Dr John Snow
How did Dr John Snow find out the Miasma Theory was false? What were his contributions?
He marked clues that led him to doubting the Miasma theory, and then he found out that people drinking from water pumps were dying, whilst people drinking beer at the pub didn’t. He removed water pumps- consequently, less people died.
How long did Joseph Bazalgette’s ideas get rejected for?
7 years
What were some of the obstacles Joseph Bazalgette faced?
- Government expectations=very high
- Time frame= very little
- Budget Initially= not a lot
- Disapproval from politicians
What were some of Joseph Bazalgette’s contributions? (BEFORE GREAT STINK)
- Devised new sewer system by using his theories in gravity, and many calculations (e.g investigating tidal flow of the Thames River)
- Had high safety standard and invented quality control (ensuring safety for all citizens and high quality work)
What cement was used to build underground tunnels? Why?
Portland cement, because it was very strong and could last for a long time. The sewers Joseph Bazalgette designed, built by miners, are still up today, because of the high quality material.
What were some of Joseph Bazalgette’s contributions? (AFTER GREAT STINK)
-Despite disapproval from politicians initially, Bazalgette finally received 3 mil pounds to build underground tunnels.
-His ideas only got accepted because politicians were being affected by the Great Stink.
When was the Great Stink?
1858
