Discovery And Development 1860-75 Flashcards
(38 cards)
Why did pasteur research germ theory
He was asked to find out why beer turned sour
What did Pasteur think of spontaneous generation
He didnt believe it
What did pasteur discover
Liquids were contaminated by microorganisms in the air
What process did Pasteur discover
Pasteurisation - heating the liquid killed microorganisms, therefore the liquid did not go bad
What was the theory made by Pasteur called
Germ theory
What were the 4 basic principles of germ theory
- The air contained microorganisms
- Microorganisms aren’t evenly distributed in the air
- Microorganisms in the air cause decay
- Microorganisms can be killed by heating
When did Pasteur publish germ theory
1861
When did pasteur produce his findings and under what title
1878
Germ theory and its applications to medicine
Why did some scientists not accept the germ theory
Hundreds of microorganisms were seen in the blood of healthy people
What was the impact of germ theory on (4)
Mixed:
- it was unclear how it could be immediately applied to medicine
+ it helped explain the link between hygiene and health
+ it helped in the development of some vaccinations
+ it led to an understanding of why infection developed after surgery
How did germ theory help public health
Evidenced a link between hygiene and health
What was carbolic acid used for prior to lister
Treating sewage in the Carlisle sewage plant
When was the black period of surgery
1846-1866
How did lister test carbolic acid
He tested it on a compound fracture of an 11 year old boy’s leg - it healed without infection
What percent of lister’s patients died without antiseptics and with antiseptics
Without - 45.7%
With - 15%
When did lister begging to use carbolic acid
1866
How did lister use carbolic acid
Cleaning wounds, equipment and bandages
What were some opposition to carbolic acid (6)
- The spray form made instrument slippers, slowing the operation (blood loss still problematic)
- Many doctors didn’t use it because they didn’t accept germ theory
- Some doctors didn’t use it properly thus found it ineffective
- Some doctors used simply soap and water. This had good results so they saw no need for further techniques
- Lister experimented with it frequently, making others think he wasn’t confident in his methods
- It damaged the skin of the surgeon
When was the sanitary act passed
1866
What did the sanitary act state
All towns had to employ inspectors to check water supply and drainage
Local authorities were responsible for sewers, water and street cleaning
What happened in parliament in 1867
The number of people who could vote was doubled to 2m, which included many working class men, so politicians had to appeal to their needs
What did the public health act 1875 entail (8)
Local authorities were responsible for:
1. Supplying clean water
2. Dealing with sewage in a safe way
3. Building public toilets
4. Ensuring new housing was built to good standards
5. Inspecting conditions in lodging houses
6. Lighting the streets
7. Employing health and sanitary inspectors to make sure regulations were obeyed
8. Checking the quality of food on sale
Why was the 1875 public health act significant
It went against the laissez-faire attitudes of government - the government was beginning to take responsibility for public health
When did nightingale return to the uk
1856
