topic 6 - (industrial) the work of Edwin Chadwick

what was Edwin Chadwick a member of?

a member of the poor law commission which was set up because of the poor law reform act of 1834

what did Chadwick believe?

that poor people were poor because of poor health and not idleness 

when did Chadwick publish his report?

1842

what was Chadwick instrumental in setting up?

the health of towns association in 1844 which lead to the first public health act of 1848

what did Chadwick push for?

government action to improve living conditions in towns - this was the ‘clean party’

what was the dirty party?

people who opposed their ideas due to the costs which would cause the taxes of the rich to rise 

what pushed the government to pass the first public health act?

the cholera epidemic of 1848

how many people in England were killed during this epidemic?

over 52,000

what did the public health act of 1848 allow councils to do?

improve conditions in their towns if they wished and if they were prepared to pay for it 

the act also meant that the government could force towns with high death rates to…

take action over the water supply and sewage and appoint a medical officer 

what did the act encourage?

local boards of health to be set up to appoint a medical officer, provide sewers and inspect lodging houses and food for sale 

how many towns had medical officers by 1872?

only 50

the act didn't really force towns…

to do anything or provide any government support but it was a start 

what did the sanitary act of 1866 do?

forced local authorities to construct sewers after Joseph Bazalgette developed the first sewer system in London

what did the artisans dwelling act of 1875 do?

gave councils the power to take over and clean whole slum districts 

what did the public health act of 1875?

meant that local councils had to provide clean water, appoint medical officers and sanitary inspectors to prevent contaminated food being sold

local authorities were also ordered to…

cover sewers, keep them in good condition, collect rubbish and provide street lighting 

what did the food and drugs act of 1875 do?

regulated food and medicines

what did the housing act of 1875 do?

allowed councils to knock down poor housing and replace it