Prevention methods renaissance 18th+19th century

Renaissance period

roughly 1500–1700 period of renewed interest in science and observation

Miasma theory

belief that diseases were caused by “bad air” or foul smells

Prevention based on miasma

cleaning streets and removing rubbish to improve air quality

Quarantine

isolation of people thought to be infected to prevent spread of disease

Plague doctors

doctors who treated plague patients wearing protective clothing

Plague doctor mask

long beak filled with herbs believed to filter bad air

Public health during Renaissance

limited improvements focused on cleanliness and control of smells

Town cleaning methods

street sweeping and waste removal to reduce miasma

John Graunt

early statistician who studied patterns of death and disease

Bills of mortality

records of deaths used to track outbreaks

Limitations of Renaissance prevention

no understanding of germs or infection

Contagion theory (early)

idea that disease spreads by contact

18th century

period of early industrial change and growing cities

Smallpox inoculation

early method of protection using material from infected patients

Inoculation risk

could still cause full disease and spread infection

Edward Jenner

developed first vaccination for smallpox in 1796

Vaccination

safer method using cowpox to build immunity

Cowpox

mild disease used to protect against smallpox

Effect of vaccination

reduced deaths from smallpox significantly

Public health in 18th century

still limited sanitation in growing towns

Urbanisation

rapid growth of cities leading to overcrowding and disease spread

Poor sanitation

lack of sewage systems increased infection risk

19th century

period of major public health reforms and scientific advances

John Snow

investigated cholera outbreak in 1854 Soho

Cholera map

showed cases clustered around Broad Street pump

Water pump removal

stopping contaminated water source reduced cases

Miasma vs germ theory debate

shift from bad air theory to microorganisms

Germ theory

idea that microorganisms cause disease

Louis Pasteur

scientist who developed germ theory evidence

Robert Koch

identified specific bacteria causing diseases

Antiseptics

substances used to kill microbes and prevent infection

Joseph Lister

introduced antiseptic surgery using carbolic acid

Carbolic acid

chemical used to sterilise surgical instruments and wounds

Surgical infection prevention

sterilisation reduced deaths after operations

Public Health Act 1848

first attempt by government to improve sanitation

Public Health Act 1875

made sanitation improvements compulsory in towns

Local Boards of Health

organisations responsible for sanitation improvements

Sewage systems

infrastructure to remove waste safely from cities

Clean water supply

provision of safe drinking water reduced disease

Improvements in housing

better ventilation and less overcrowding

Vaccination Act 1853

made smallpox vaccination compulsory

Vaccination Act 1867

extended compulsory vaccination for children

Impact of 19th century prevention

major reduction in infectious disease deaths

Limitations of 19th century prevention

slow implementation and resistance from public

Key change over time

shift from miasma-based prevention to scientific germ-based prevention