The People s Health 1250-Present Revision Book

The People s Health 1250-Present Revision Book

The Medieval Period 1250-1500 Living Conditions add the examples to the correct category. Some might go in to more than one. Town Country The lord of the manor lived in a large house. Houses in the town centre were built close together. Conduits brought fresh water from springs. Springs might be shared with animals, so the water was not always clean. Rakers removed waste. Low quality rye bread might contain a fungus which caused ergotism. Peasants lived in small cottages with a thatched roof. Only the wealthy had a garden in the town. Water sellers sold water from leather sacks. People had a midden in the garden. Cesspits collected waste and were cleaned by gongfermors. The main food was pottage a thick vegetable soup. It was not common to have glass in the windows. People were supposed to clean the drain and street in front of their house. People collected fresh water from nearby springs or wells. Public latrines in market squares. Waste used as a fertiliser. A wide variety of meat and fish was available to those who could afford it. Diets supplemented with cheese, eggs, nuts, and fruit. Rich Mainly drank ale and cider. Poor Might drink imported wines. Housing Water Waste Food

Types/symptoms The Black Death Treatment Beliefs about cause Medieval authorities did not care about public health. Sort the examples to show whether they support or oppose the statement. Support Oppose Many people disposed of waste in the street or river. Monasteries built conduits to bring clean water in to towns. Monasteries had hospitals which cared for the poor. The amount spend on public health depended on the council and aldermen. Wardens in London checked that streets and the banks of the Thames were clear. Guilds oversaw the quality of goods e.g food. Some towns raised taxes to pave marketplaces. Norwich named and shamed people who dumped waste in the river.

Early Modern Period 1500-1750 Living conditions add the examples to the correct category Rich Poor Houses were overcrowded. Some families lived in cellars or attics. Houses were poorly constructed which made them draughty and damp. Gradually, wooden houses were replaced with ones built of stone or brick. Some had water piped to their house by water companies. However, this was often the water from the river. Water could be bought from a water seller. People collected water from free conduits. Washing regularly required a good supply of water, fuel for heating, and servants to help. Scavengers or rakers collected ash, food waste, etc from houses once or twice a week. Diet mainly consisted of bread, vegetables, and pottage. Bathed in the river. Flushing toilet was invented during the period, but very expensive. Meat, fish, cheese and eggs were rare treats. Privies emptied in to the river or a cesspit. Quantity and variety of food grew as England s trade grew. Ate large quantities of meat and fish. Only ate a small amount of fruit and vegetables. Housing Water Waste Food

When the plague returned in the early modern period, what ideas continued from the medieval period and what was new? Beliefs Continued New Treatments Response How had local and national governments attempted to improve health in towns by 1750? Consider laws, changes to the urban environment, alcohol, etc

The Industrial Period 1750-1900 Living Conditions add the examples to the correct category Rich Poor The wealthy lived in suburbs on the outskirts of towns or in the countryside. Back-to-back houses common. Families often had one room. Water companies piped water to homes, however, this water often came from rivers and streams. Had Water Closets connected to a sewer system. However, these sewers emptied in to the river. Large houses with gardens. The poorest lived in damp cellars Shared a toilet in the yard. This might be used by 30 families. Basic diet potatoes, bread, butter, tea, and beer. Houses for workers were built quickly and cheaply they were often damp and draughty. Collected water from a public standpipe. This water often came from rivers and streams. Working class houses often not connected to sewers. Waste collected in a hole underneath. These often leaked and infected water supplies. Malnutrition common. Growing variety of food due to Britain s growing empire. No regulations so cheap food was often adulterated e.g chalk in flour. Cheap meat was sometimes available, but often came from diseased animals. Housing Water Waste Food

Beliefs about cause Cholera Treatment/actions The work of John Snow Which reform of the late 1800s was the most significant in tackling each of the public health problems? Use p23 of the revision guide and p68-73 of the textbook to help. Housing Reform: Water Reform: Reason: Reason: Waste Reform: Food Reform: Reason: Reason:

The Modern Period 1900-present Living conditions add the examples to the correct category. Some may go in both. By the twentieth century, the issues of waste and water had largely been solved. However, they are replaced by modern problems air quality and lifestyle Rich Poor At the beginning of the twentieth century, many poor people still lived in back-to-back houses. In the 1980s the government began selling off council housing. This gave the poor a chance to own their own home. Back-to-backs were replaced by high rise flats after WWII. This was better quality, but could lead to social isolation and crime. People renting privately often pay high rents for houses that do not meet the government standard. The government set standards for the quality of new housing that was built. Rationing during WWII improved health as more people ate fruit and vegetables that they grew themselves. Refrigeration and canning allowed food to be kept for longer, improved supply, and made food cheaper. Fruit and vegetables are more expensive than convenience food. This had led to a rise in obesity Immigration has led to new types of food such as Chinese and Indian. Fears over modern farming methods lead people to buy more expensive organic produce. Smog in big cities led to breathing problems in the early twentieth century. More people own cars, which has led to a rise in air pollution. Labour saving devices like washing machines and hoovers mean that people do not get as much exercise doing household chores. Televisions, computers and cars mean that people are less physically active. Three quarters of people with a lower level of education take little or no exercise. Housing Food Air Quality Lifestyle

Technology has been the biggest factor in improving government response to epidemic disease in the twentieth century. Yes No During the Spanish Flu outbreak, advice was published in newspapers. The government invests in ongoing research in to current and potential epidemic diseases. The NHS was founded in 1948. It treats anybody who is ill for free. The government stockpiles medication to treat outbreaks, such as Tamiflu for bird flu. Improved communication, such as the internet, means that information can be passed on more quickly and to a wider audience. Germ Theory was published in 1861. Since then, researchers have been able to isolate the specific bacteria that cause diseases. Television advertising campaigns raise awareness of diseases, such as AIDS. Leaflets, posters, and adverts raise awareness of diseases and how to treat/prevent them. The government has vaccination programmes which have helped to cut the rates of epidemic diseases of the past, such as measles. Poorest children provided a hot meal at school The health of the poorest improves. Less strain on medical services. 1906 free school meals Government involvement in the twentieth century. In one colour note the law. In a different colour make notes on the impact of the law.

One of the key parts of this unit is being able to explain change or continuity over time. For each area, summarise the key features for each time period. When you have done this, use 2 highlighters to identify changes and continuities.

Another key part of this unit is being able to identify and explain how different factors have influenced public health. For each factor, make brief notes on how it influenced public health in each of the time periods.

Throughout this unit there have been turning points which have influenced the development of public health. For each turning point, make brief notes on how it changed the course of public health. You may want to add other examples, road blocks, or diversions to the map. Today AIDS The Welfare State Spanish Flu The NHS WWII 1900 Government legislation Public Health Act 1750 Cholera Growth of British Empire Germ Theory Plague orders 1500 Dissolution of the Monasteries Black Death 1250