Public health 19 century

Question 1

3 major issues regarding health in London

Answer 1

Overpopulation leading to crowding, poverty, and human faeces

Question 2

Who was Edwin Chadwick

Answer 2

A lawyer involved in working households who wrote the sanitary condition of the labouring population of great Britain.

Question 3

What did Chadwick argue in his report

Answer 3

1. That slum housing, inefficient sewerage and impure water supplies were causing the deaths of around 60,000 people a year.
2. Middle class people lived longer and healthier lives because they could afford to have their sewage removed and for fresh water to be piped through their homes .
3. Private companies that removed sewage and supplied fresh water were inadequate and that these services should be provided for by the government via a completely new sewage system.

Question 4

Why was Chadwick opposed?

Answer 4

1.Many MPs support laissez-faire , therefore were against government involvement that Chadwick was proposing.
2. Some believed his link between poor sanitation and disease was invalid.
3.Private companies that supplied water would lose money if government became in charge of it.
4.Rich householders worried about increased taxes to pay for Chadwick’s ideas.
5.Arrogant and very stubborn, some just didn’t like him.

Question 5

What did the 1848 Public Health Act do?

Answer 5

After threat of incoming cholera epidemic:
Set up a General board of health for a 5 year term run by 3 commissioners including Chadwick.
They allowed town to:
Set up their own local boards of health.
To appoint a medical officer.
Organise removal of rubbish.
Build a sewer system.

Question 6

Why was 1848 Public Health act not very successful?

Answer 6

1.The act was passed too late to stop the impending cholera epidemic.
2.’Allowed towns to’ Didn’t actually enforce any laws so many just didn’t change anything(especially those who opposed Chadwick).
3.Overall act was very vague and didn’t actually do much, what it did not being done very well either.

Question 7

1866 Sanitary Act

Answer 7

1.Allowed councils to improve drainage and sewerage for poor quality houses.
2.Compelled councils to locate and address nuisances to public health (very vague though and often ignored.)

Question 8

1875 Public Health Act

Answer 8

Councils compelled to:
1.Charge taxes to appoint a local board of health.
2.Appoint medical officer in charge of health and inspectors to ensure improvements were being made.
3.To provide and maintain safe water supplies and sewers.
4. Regulate housing ensure good standards regarding dampness and overcrowding.
5.Provide street lighting and paving to keep the streets clean.
6.Check quality of food on sale.

Question 9

What was the great stink and what were its impacts?

Answer 9

During summer of 1858 the river Thames dried up, exposing rubbish and excrement along its banks resulting in a terrible smell.
Proximity of stink to parliament resulted in a bill being rushed through pledging 3 million pounds to the building of a new sewage system.