Medieval public health in towns

• Public health


  The cleanliness, safety of public health and population health
• Sources of water


  • Rivers
  • Local springs
  • Wells
  • Elaborate systems from Romans
  • Pipes of wood or lead
• Waste removal methods


  • Rivers
  • Streets
  • Cesspits which polluted rivers and wells
  • Gong farmers
  • Privies
• Town mayors


  • Didn't want to become unpopular by increasing local taxes
  • Didn't understand 'bad air' and sanitation
  • Knew it was expensive
• Laws

  • 1371 - Prohibits the killing of large animals within city walls
  • 1388 - £20 fine for throwing 'dung, garbage and entrails' into ditches, ponds and rivers
• Laws were not easy to enforce or catch disobeying people and there was no police