Medicine in 18th and 19th Century Britain Flashcards
who discovered vaccines?
- Edward Jenner in 1796
what was the opposition to vaccination?
- many doctors were earning lots from inoculation and didn’t want to lose that
- the Church didn’t like the idea of using a cow disease in human medicine
- because of this, the Royal Society didn’t publish his ideas
what was the government intervention for vaccination?
- in 1852, vaccination was compulsory and was strictly enforced from 1872
- you would be fined for not vaccinating your children
- this resulted in less smallpox deaths
what was smallpox?
- a deadly disease that was popular in children
where did Jenner get his inspiration from?
- he observed that milkmaids who caught cowpox did not catch smallpox
describe the development of the smallpox vaccine:
- James Phipps was selected, a healthy young boy
- cowpox was taken and inserted in his body
- Jenner observed that James had some symptoms but became well again
- James was then inoculated with smallpox but no disease followed
- this was done 23 times to prove his theory and published a book in 1798
what was cholera caused by?
- overcrowding, lack of proper sewage and sanitation
- this was because of the Industrial Revolution
how did people try to prevent cholera?
- burning barrels of tar to remove bad air
- praying
- taking medicines that promised protection
- burning the clothing and bedding of victims
when did the cholera epidemic break out?
- in 1854
who was John Snow?
- the man who investigated the cholera outbreak
how did John Snow investigate cholera?
- plotted each death on a map and proved that all the victims lived close to the same water pump
- he knew the pump was used for drinking, washing and cooking
- removed the handle so no one could use it
- there were no new cases of cholera or deaths in that area
- he discovered a cesspit close to the pump that had been leaking waste
what was the impact of John Snow’s investigation?
- proved dirty water caused the spread of cholera
- many people didn’t believe this until the Germ Theory
- Snow was correct but didn’t know the bacteria was causing the disease
who came up with the Germ Theory?
- Louis Pasteur in 1861, he was inspired from the idea of fermentation
what was the influence of the Germ Theory?
- his ideas weren’t initially accepted in Britain straight away
- Joseph Lister read his work and made links between bacteria and surgery
how was the Germ Theory developed?
- in 1861, Pasteur published his germ theory
- this showed that spontaneous generation was incorrect
- he proved microbes in the air cause decay
- he theorised that germs caused disease but could not prove this
who proved the Germ Theory?
- Robert Koch
how did Koch grow bacteria?
- in a petri dish using agar jelly
- used a dye to stain the bacteria and see it under a microscope
- this meant he could identify individual bacteria
what bacterium did Koch discover?
- anthrax in 1876
- TB in 1882
- cholera in 1883
what was the impact on Koch’s work?
- inspired scientists
- doctors had better understanding that bacteria was what needed to be removed
what were hospitals like?
- few toilets and poor sewage systems
- overcrowded wards
- lack of cleanliness which spread infection
what was the influence of Florence Nightingale?
- wrote two books
- opened her first Nightingale School for Nurses in 1860
how did Nightingale improve hospitals?
- there was regular handwashing
- improvements to sewerage
- improved ventilation
what was in the 1875 Public Health Act?
- it was compulsory
- improve sewers and the removal of waste
- provide clean water
- appoint medical officers to inspect public health facilities
why was the government finally taking action?
- the Germ Theory
- once there was scientific proof, people were willing to fund better living conditions
- working men could vote in 1867 so parties would address their issues to gain support
how did the government react to vaccinations?
- there were vaccination programmes
- this targeted rabies and typhoid
what was the Edwin Chadwick report?
- showed people living in cities had lower life expectancies
- he concluded this was because of dirt and difficult living conditions
- he recommended better supplies of clean water and regular waste removal
what was the 1848 Public Health Act?
- encouraged cities to set up boards of health and provide clean water
- it had little impact as these measures were optional and expensive
how did the Great Stink make an impact?
- the smell was directly outside parliament so the government acted
who invented antiseptics?
- Joseph Lister in 1867, he knew about the germ theory and discovered carbolic acid killed the bacteria in open wounds
what did Lister recommend?
- doctors/nurses should wash hands in carbolic acid before surgery
- bandages and ligatures should be soaked in carbolic acid
- carbolic spray should be used to clean the area of and operation
what was the impact of Joseph Lister?
- operation death rate fell from 46 to 15 percent
- aseptic surgery was developed
what was the black period of surgery?
- although pain was no longer an issue, some surgeons carried out longer and more complex operations
- infections could then develop deeper and there would be more blood loss
who discovered chloroform?
- James Simpson in 1847
what was the opposition to the use of chloroform?
- some surgeons wanted patients to fight for their lives
- religious people believed that God intended for pain
- some people worried about overdoses
how did Simpson discover chloroform?
- it was accidental after inhaling different chemicals and quickly found that chloroform was effective
what was invented to measure the chloroform dosage?
- the inhaler by John Snow
what attitude did the government have in the 18th century?
- “laissez faire”, that it was not their role to interfere in everyday life
- this changed in the 19th century
what was the role of science and technology?
- by 1750, the Church and classical ideas had lost their dominant influence
- scientists could experiment and challenge old ideas
- new theories could be proved
- ideas could be spread more quickly throughout Britain
