Health and Disease in Historical Context

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to health and disease in historical contexts, focusing on the medieval and early modern eras, as well as developments leading into the 20th century.

Poverty

A condition where individuals or families lack sufficient income to maintain a minimum standard of living.

Famine

A state of extreme scarcity of food affecting large numbers of people, often leading to starvation.

Child Mortality

The death rate of infants and children, often high in medieval times due to poverty and disease.

Four Humours

An ancient medical theory proposing that the balance of blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm determines health.

Gangrene

A serious condition that arises when a body part loses its blood supply, leading to tissue death, often resulting from wounds.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic that struck Europe in the 14th century, leading to the deaths of a significant portion of the population.

Buboes

Painful swellings in the lymph nodes, characteristic of bubonic plague.

Antiseptic

A substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, introduced in surgical practices.

Vaccination

A medical procedure that introduces a harmless form of a disease to stimulate the immune system and provide immunity.

Cholera

An acute diarrheal disease caused by contaminated water or food, characterized by severe dehydration.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and is often associated with poor living conditions.

Leeches

Blood-sucking worms historically used in medicine, particularly for bloodletting to balance the four humours.

Miasma Theory

A popular historical belief that diseases were caused by 'bad air' or miasmas, leading to poor public health practices.

Public Health Act (1848)

Legislation aimed at improving sanitation and public health in the growing industrial towns of Britain.

Hygiene

Conditions or practices promoting health through cleanliness, often lacking in medieval towns leading to disease.

Anaesthetic

A substance that induces insensitivity to pain, revolutionizing surgery in the 19th century.

Antibiotic

A type of medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria, pivotal in treating infections.

Nursing Reform

Changes brought about by figures like Florence Nightingale in the 19th century, improving patient care and nursing standards.

Curative Wells

Waters believed to have healing properties, often associated with religious or spiritual significance.

Welfare State

A government system that provides social security and public services to ensure citizens' well-being.