Government and Public Health in the Nineteenth Century

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Government and Public Health in the Nineteenth
Century
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(No Transcript)
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Edwin Chadwick Condition of the labouring
population 1842

• The number of deaths so frightened people that
  investigations began into the health and living
  conditions of the general public.
• Sir Edwin Chadwicks report shocked many people.

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The 1848 Public Health Act

• This was mainly the work of Chadwick.
• A central Board of Health was set up with
  Chadwick as its secretary.
• Towns could set up their own boards of health if
  10 of the ratepayers asked for one or
• The death rate was more than 23 per 1000.
• The boards could raise money for drains and
  sewerage disposal.

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TASK

• 1. What were the provisions of the 1848 Public
  Health Act?
• 2. How effective do you think this Act would have
  been?

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The River Thames
Does this cartoon suggest the 1848 Act was a
success?
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The 1875 Public Health Act

• All town councils had to look after public
  health.
• They had to build and run clean and safe sewers
  and water supply.
• They had to appoint a qualified doctor as the
  Medical officer for the town.
• They had the power to pull down slums.

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TASK 2

• 1. What were the provisions of the 1875 Public
  Health Act?
• 2. Do you think this would have been more
  effective than the 1848 Act?

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Why was public health finally improved?
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Scientific improvements
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New voters
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Statistics
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Government
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Education
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TASK 3

• Why was public health finally improved?
• Extension task Look at source 22 on page 147.
  What else was done to improve peoples health?
  How did these measures work?