Industrial medicine (History)

• Britain experienced more changes in the 18th and 19th centuries than in any period before
• Changes in 18th and 19th century Britain

  • As a result of the Industrial Revolution
  • Close developments in science and technology
  • Change in the government's attitude towards its role in the everyday lives of the population
• These changes happened slowly, but they had a revolutionary impact on medicine
• Industrial Revolution


  The process that transformed manufacturing from handmade to machine-made, mass-produced goods using water, steam and coal power transported by canal, rail and steamship. Britain was the first country to have an Industrial Revolution.
• Huge numbers of people moved from the countryside to urban centres, leaving rural jobs in farming and agriculture, and found work in factories, mills and mines
• By the end of the 19th century, most people in Britain were employed in factories and workshops
• Cities became the main centres of production. By 1900, London had a population of 4.5 million
• Cities could become overcrowded, and often the growing workforce was accommodated in poor-quality housing. The streets became filled with waste. Without fresh water and a sewerage system, disease spread easily
• Sewerage system


  A series of underground pipes that take away waste water to be cleaned and re-used.
• By 1750, the Church and classical ideas had lost their dominant influence and scientific ideas were much more accepted
• Microscope


  A device used to enlarge tiny objects that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
• Laissez-faire


  Translated as 'leave well alone' or 'let the people choose'. A government policy of interfering as little as possible in social and economic policy.
• Legislation


  The passing of laws.
• By the late 19th century, people began to accept that it was part of the government's role to look after the health of its people
• From this point on, the national government began to pass legislation to force local authorities to improve living conditions and prevent the spread of disease and illness
• The first industrial accident was the explosion at the gunpowder factory in Waltham Abbey, Essex.
• In 1860, the Mines Regulation Act was passed to improve safety conditions in mines.