Industrial medicine 1500-1700 Flashcards
what were the continuity on the causes of disease
miasma
what were the changes in the theory of cause of disease
- spontaneous generation (germs produced by decaying matter)
- germ theory
discuss microphones
by 1700 microscopes developed so that cloudy images of what would become known as bacteria or germs could be seen
by 1850 microscopes had further improved so that extremely tiny images could be seen clearly
this was essential in enabling the scientific breakthroughs of the later 19th century
what theory has developed over time
the germ theory
discuss the change in the theory of the germ theory
- 1861 Louis Pasteur published his germ theory showing spontaneous generation was incorrect
- he proved microbes in the air cause decay (discovered this when investigating why liquids turned sour for the brewing industry)
- he theorised germs caused disease but was unable to prove it
- Robert Koch read Pasteur’s work and began to study microbes himself.
- he proved Pasteur’s theory was right that microbes cause disease as a well as decay
- identified TB specific microbe in 1882
- identified cholera specific microbe in 1883
- Koch developed growing bacteria on agar jelly and discovered chemical dyes stain bacteria (made easier to see under microscope)
- other scientists used this method to identify the microbes that cause other disease
- eventually these discoveries were to have a direct impact on the prevention and cure of many diseases
how much did Louis Pasteur influence medicine in Britain
- his germ theory had very little impact on medicine in Britain to begin with as he was not a doctor and his work focused on food and drink not disease
- most doctors still believed in the spontaneous generation theory but there were some who did make the link between microbes and disease
how much did Koch influence medicine in Britain
- had more of an impact than Pasteur
- he inspired others to research other microbes
- it took most doctors and the British government to accept the germ theory of disease
what was florence nightingale’s influence
- influencing improvements in hospital care
- reports of her changes to hospital conditions after witnessing high death rates in military hospitals in the field had a significant impact on public opinion
name 5 points about florence nightingale
1) nursing wasn’t seen as a respectable job for women and there was little training
2) attended the first nurses’ training school
3) she was asked to lead a team of nurses at the military hospital in Scutari during the Crimean war (1854-56)
4) believed miasma caused disease so she emphasised hygiene, fresh air, good supplies and training for nurses
her approach lowered the death rate at Scutari hospital from 42% to 2%
5) her work was widely reported in newspapers in Britain. She published books on nursing and hospital organisation and set up a training school for nurses and midwives
what were the changes in hospital care
by 1875 Great Ormond Street Hospital
- hospital cleanliness and organisation improved and nurses were better trained due to the work of florence nightingale and Pasteur’s germ theory
- nurses were given a more central role caring for patients and assisting doctors
- public pressure led ton infirmeries being set up for the poorest in society
- specialist hospitals for the mentally ill and contagious developed
what was the anaesthetic timeline
1800 - alcohol and opium 1844 - laughing gas 1846 - ether 1847 - chloroform 1884 - cocaine 1905 - novocaine
how successful was 1800 alcohol and opium as an anaesthetic
little success in easing pain during operations
how successful was 1844 laughing gas as an anaesthetic
used in the dentistry industry in the USA but failed to ease all pain and patients remained conscious
how successful was 1846 ether as an anaesthetic
made patients totally uncon
