18th Century Public Health reforms
Cholera
The Great Stink
William Farr
Chadwick
Broad Street, 1854
Dr John Snow noticed all the Cholera victims were all concentrated in a small area except one. She got her water from the Bridge Street Pump
With Statistics collected by Mr. William Farr, Snow was able to trace the cholera back to Broad Street, and the pump
The Pump's handle was removed, and Cholera stopped spreading. This proved Cholera was spread by water
Chadwick's reforms
After outbreaks of influenza, Cholera and Typhoid, Chadwick was asked by the government to compile a report based upon living conditions
The report showed a direct link between poor living conditions and disease
This led to the 1848 Public Health act
The Great Stink of 1858
Hot summer weather caused untreated human waste in the Thames to be easily smelt, and unbearable. This alongside cholera, meant London required a way to get rid of the waste
Joseph Bazalgette engineered a huge number of sewers to take it out of the Thames, where it could be taken away to sea
This caused a positive impact on the public health of the city
William Farr pioneered the idea of Medical statistics. His statistics helped people to understand what was causing deaths, and helped Dr. John Snow with the cholera outbreak
The 1848 Public Health act
The Government were changing its policy of Laissez- Faire for the first time
A Central Board of Health was created, and towns were encouraged to create Local Boards of Health
Towns were supposed to appoint a medical officer to provide sewers, inspect houses and check food was fit for consumption. However, none of it was compulsory
Other reforms
1853 Vaccination is made compulsory
1834 Poor Law amendment act ensured medical officers provided basic healthcare to the very poor
1855 Nuisance removal act tried to stop overcrowding of houses
1864 Factory act aimed to improve conditions in Factories
1866 Sanitary Act Forced local authorities to take responsibility for sewerage and provide clean water
1871 Vaccination Act backed up that in 1853
The 1875 Public Health Act
Local authorities now had to appoint medical officers to oversee public health
Sewers had to be maintained and fresh water provided. Rubbish should also be collected
Compulsory