Factors influencing medicine in the 19th century
Britain experienced more changes in the 18th and 19th centuries than in any period before. Changes happened as a result of the 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. developments in science and technology, and a change in the government's attitude towards its role in the everyday lives of the population. These changes happened slowly, but they had a Bringing about a complete or radical change. impact on medicine.
The Industrial Revolution
Towards the end of the 18th century, many changes took place in Britain. Large developments in technology and innovation resulted in a period that has become known as the Industrial Revolution.
- Huge numbers of people moved from the countryside to urban centres. They left rural jobs in farming and agriculture, and found work in factories, mills and mines, which were springing up across the country.
- 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. Other cities also grew much larger across Britain, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. These 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 A series of underground pipes that take away waste water to be cleaned and re-used. disease spread easily.
Science and technology
By 1750, the Church and classical ideas had lost their dominant influence and scientific ideas were much more accepted. With the growth of new technology, scientists continued to experiment and challenge old ideas. The use of new instruments (such as A device used to enlarge tiny objects that cannot be seen by the naked eye.), chemicals and scientific equipment proved many new theories. Further improvements in travel - such as the development of the railways - then enabled these ideas to spread quickly throughout Britain.
The role of government
Throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries, the government adopted a Translated as 鈥榣eave well alone鈥 or 鈥榣et the people choose鈥. A government policy of interfering as little as possible in social and economic policy. approach to medicine. This means people thought it was not the government鈥檚 role to interfere in everyday life.
However, by the late 19th century this began to change. People began to accept that it was part of the government鈥檚 role to look after the health of its people. From this point on, the national government began to pass The passing of laws. to force local authorities to improve living conditions and prevent the spread of disease and illness.