Public health in late medieval towns and monasteries, 1250-1500

Question 1

How was public health linked to religious institutions in medieval England?

Answer 1

-Monasteries promoted cleanliness and worship and had fresh water supplies
-provided medical care
-Wealthy people donated money for public health improvements.

Question 2

What were the key public health problems in medieval England ?

Answer 2

-contaminated water- waste and sewage polluted drinking water

-Poor sanitation- waste was often thrown into the streets.

-Overcrowding - led to rapid spread of disease

-Limited medical knowledge - no effective treatments for diseases like the Black Death.

Question 3

How did London lead public health improvements (1348-1500)

Answer 3

1385 - Warden appointed to check street cleanliness
1415-Mayor extended clean water pipes
1430s- Public latrines funded by wills.

Question 4

How did town authorities improve public health?

Answer 4

-wealthy citizens funded hygiene projects,
-Laws introduced for food quality and waste disposal
-Some towns built latrines and water pipes

Question 5

What were consequences of these public health measures?

Answer 5

-some towns improved, but problems remained.
-cleaner water in some areas, but waste disposal was still poor
-Increased government involvement set the stage for future reforms