industrial medicine 1700-1900

• What was the initial belief about the cause of disease at the beginning of the 18th century?

  There were few new ideas, and many believed in spontaneous generation.
• What was the miasma theory?

  Miasma theory suggested that diseases were caused by "bad air" or miasmas.
• What significant development in microscopy occurred by 1700?

  Microscopes had developed to show cloudy images of bacteria.
• How did the improvement of microscopes by 1850 contribute to scientific breakthroughs?

  They allowed extremely tiny images to be seen clearly.
• What was the significance of Louis Pasteur's Germ Theory published in 1861?

  It disproved spontaneous generation and showed that microbes cause decay.
• What did Robert Koch prove regarding Pasteur's theory?

  Koch proved that microbes caused disease as well as decay.
• What specific microbes did Koch identify in 1882 and 1883?

  Koch identified the microbes that caused TB and cholera.
• What method did Koch develop for growing bacteria?

  Koch developed a new way of growing bacteria on agar jelly.
• Why did Pasteur's Germ Theory initially have little impact on medicine in Britain?

  Pasteur was not a doctor and focused on food and drink, not disease.
• Who was Joseph Lister and what was his contribution to hospital care?

  Joseph Lister linked microbes to disease and improved surgical hygiene.
• What significant changes did Florence Nightingale advocate for in hospital care?

  Nightingale emphasized hygiene, fresh air, and training for nurses.
• What was the first cottage hospital established and when?

  The first cottage hospital was Great Ord Street Hospital, established in 1856.
• What were the three main problems that made surgery dangerous in the 19th century?

  Blood loss, pain, and infection were the main problems.
• What was the first local anaesthetic used and when?

  Cocaine was used as the first local anaesthetic in 1884.
• What were the effects of ether as an anaesthetic?

  Ether made patients totally unconscious but could cause coughing and was flammable.
• What was the significance of James Simpson's discovery of chloroform?


  Simpson discovered chloroform as an effective anaesthetic and promoted its use.
• What concerns did people have regarding the use of anaesthetics?


  People worried about long-term effects and the morality of unconsciousness.
• What did Joseph Lister use to clean wounds and equipment?


  Lister used carbolic acid to clean wounds and equipment.
• What was the impact of Lister's work on surgery by 1900?


  His work led to aseptic techniques and reduced infection rates in surgery.
• How did the use of anaesthetics and antiseptics change surgery?


  Surgery became pain-free, allowing for more complex procedures and lower death rates.
• What were the key developments in anaesthetics during the 19th century?


  • Use of alcohol and opium before 1800
  • Laughing gas introduced in 1844
  • Ether used from 1846
  • Chloroform used from 1847
  • Cocaine as the first local anaesthetic in 1884
  • Novocaine introduced in 1905
• What were the main contributions of Pasteur and Koch to the understanding of disease?


  • Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation and linked microbes to decay.
  • Koch identified specific microbes causing diseases (TB and cholera).
  • Both developed methods for studying and identifying bacteria.
• What were the improvements in hospital care during the 18th and 19th centuries?

  • Florence Nightingale's emphasis on hygiene and training.
  • Establishment of the first cottage hospital in 1856.
  • Development of specialized hospitals for the elderly and infectious diseases.
• What were the main reasons for the increased success of surgery by 1900?

  • Introduction of anaesthetics reduced pain.
  • Antiseptics decreased infection rates.
  • Improved surgical techniques and hospital conditions.
• What significant development in disease prevention occurred in the 19th century?

  The Germ Theory was used to create vaccines for some diseases.
• How did the government contribute to public health in the 19th century?


  It increased prevention rates by reducing conditions that fostered disease.
• What were the key developments in vaccinations by Pasteur?


  • Pasteur published his results on Germ Theory in 1861.
  • He discovered that weakened microbes could create immunity.
  • He named his discovery 'vaccination' in tribute to Jenner.
  • Developed vaccines for anthrax, chicken cholera, and rabies.
  • Inspired other scientists to create vaccines for human diseases.
• What was the attitude of the government towards public health before the 19th century?


  The government preferred a 'hands off', laissez-faire policy.
• What factors led to the change in government attitude towards public health by 1875?


  Several epidemics and scientific evidence linking diseases to poor living conditions influenced the change.
• What were the requirements of the Public Health Act of 1875 for city authorities?


  • Provide clean water
  • Ensure proper sewage systems
  • Maintain public toilets
  • Install street lighting
  • Create public parks
  • Inspect lodging houses for cleanliness
  • Monitor new house construction
  • Check food quality in shops
  • Employ a public health officer
• Who is credited with the discovery of the smallpox vaccine?

  Edward Jenner
• What was the impact of smallpox in the 18th century?


  Smallpox killed more people than any other disease and left survivors with terrible scars.
• What did Jenner's discovery prove about scientific methods?


  It proved that scientific methods could lead to the eradication of a disease.
• What was one limitation of Jenner's work?


  He did not understand the link between cowpox and smallpox.
• What were some reasons for opposition to Jenner's vaccination work?


  • Belief that it was wrong to give people an animal's disease.
  • Concerns about interfering with God's will.
  • Financial loss for doctors due to free vaccinations.
  • Improper vaccination techniques by some doctors.
• What was the first cholera epidemic in Britain?


  The first cholera epidemic occurred in 1831.
• What was John Snow's theory about cholera transmission?


  He theorized that cholera was transmitted through contaminated water.
• How did John Snow demonstrate the link between cholera and water in 1854?


  He mapped deaths and found a strong link to a water pump on Broad Street.
• What was the outcome of Snow removing the handle from the Broad Street pump?


  The number of cholera deaths fell dramatically.
• What did Snow present to the government in 1855?


  His findings on cholera transmission.