CE Revision- Public Health
The Industrial Revolution
They became overcrowded- this led to slum housing
Poor hygiene and sanitation
Towns and cities grew at an alarming rate
Few sewers and open toilets shared by many families
People wrongly believed bad smells spread disease- miasma
Frequent outbreaks of deadly diseases
People did not live long in industrial towns.
Edwin Chadwick and
the Public Health Acts
He suggested introducing sewage systems, more fresh water and a medical officer for each town
Government eventually introduced Public Health Act in 1848, but no compulsory and little changed
Found that living conditions had a direct link to disease
1875 PH Act, makes changes compulsory. No more cholera outbreaks
1838- asked to write a report due to cholera deaths
John Snow
On investigation he realised everyone had drunk from the same pump
He stopped people drinking from it and no one else died
1854- cholera outbreak in Soho, 600 people died
He therefore proved contaminated water spread cholera
Doctor. Believed cholera was spread through drinking water