Hospitals by 1800

• How many hospitals were there in 1800 and where were they located?

  5 hospitals in London
• How were new hospitals funded in the 19th century?

  donations from wealthy people
• Why did some doctors offer their services for free in 19th century hospitals?

  so they could practice their skills
• Why did rich people not go to 19th century hospitals?

  it was safer to be treated at home
• Who did 19th century hospitals treat?

  the deserving poor
• Why did disease spread quickly in 19th century hospitals?

  doctors went from patient to patient and ward to ward without washing their hands or changing clothes
• Why did many patients die on the wards of early 19th century hospitals?

  • Few toilets
  • Poor sewage systems
  • Overcrowded wards with a lack of fresh air
  • Lack of cleanliness that caused the spread of infection