Progress?

• Germ theory was a huge turning point in understanding the causes of disease
• Spontaneous generation and miasma were still accepted by some and they were popular until germ theory became accepted
• Home remedies, such as breathing in stallions breath for TB were often used
• People bought curealls instead of going to a doctor
• Medicines often contained turpentine, lard and wax
• Vaccination improved the prevention of disease, such as smallpox made compulsory in 1853 and rabies in 1885
• Hospitals were not focussing on antiseptic and aseptic surgery, but many people couldn’t afford them
• Public health became a government responsibility in 1875, but early acts had many limitations