Main Theories Of Cause Of Disease

Question 1

What was the main idea of what caused disease way before 1848?

Answer 1

Four Humour Theory

Question 2

What were the Four Humours

Answer 2

Yellow + Black Bile
Phlegm
Blood

Question 3

How were people treated using the Four Humours Theory?

Answer 3

They were bled using leeches (AN INSECT ! ) to remove excess blood in the system
They were given purgatives (laxatives) to remove excess bile

Question 4

What was the Theory of Spontaneous Generation ?

Answer 4

Rotting material + dead animals cause disease

Question 5

Germ Theory (1861)

Answer 5

In 1861
Discovered that there are microorganisms in the air which cause drinks (eg beer) to get sour
If heated these germs would be killed so the drink does not go sour

Question 6

What is the Theory of Miasma?

Answer 6

Disease is caused by unpleasant smells + harmful fumes

Question 7

Factors affecting progress in 1848

Answer 7

— Lack of Technology: (weak microscopes)

— Lack of Funding: Government didn’t feel responsible for Research + Development, so funding was mostly from charities. So not much money for R + D

— Attitudes: Doctors didn’t want to learn new techniques and methods to treat patients. And people were very religious so they didn’t want to donate their bodies, so not many dissections