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