During hot weather in 1858 the Thames water level was
low meaning that the smell of the exposed sewage was
'unbareable' so the government took action becuase
they could not meet at parliament
The thames smelt due to the
high content of sewage
How They Were Built
Oval shaped
tunnels
Constant slope
About 1100 miles
long
Used tide to take
water to sea
Built pump to bring
water back up
Draw backs
Cost
Time
Effects
Improved Health
London could cope with
high rainfall
Removes smell
Proved cholera was
water born
Problems
Epidemics
High Death
Rate
Little Infrastructure
Poor Housing
Back-to-Back Housing
Overcrowding
Lack of investment
NHS
Why was it
introduced?
Medical services
were required due to
war
To cope with
civilian
casualties
Supply soldiers
with healthcare
Provide a better
standard of healthcare
Opposition
Huge costs
British Medical association
Represented proffesional doctors
Opposed becuase doctors
would lose money
Local authorities who
ran hospitals
3000 hospitals in britain would be
nationalised
The people who ran
them didn't like this
Costs
The government had to
add charges for
prescriptions in 1951
Prevention and
Education
NHS
Improved sanitation +
Healthcare
Private companies
Some people use
private healthcare
Private healthcare such as
dental practises and doctor
surgeries
Health Education
1962, The Royal College of
Physicians called for a ban on
tobacco advertisement
Government began
taxing cigarettes
heavily
Since 1971 packets have
had health warnings
In 2004, it was reported that
1 in 6 people die as a result
of smoking
Preventative Developments
Developments in
vaccinations such as Jonas
Salk's polio vaccine in 1952
Government campaign
and laws on health
issues such as smoking
Government Action
between 1848 - 1878
1848 Public Health Act
Set up a general board of health
+ organised the removal of
rubbish and construction of sewer
systems
1866 Sanitary Act
All towns had to appoint
inspectors to check water
supplies and drainage
1875 Public Health Act
Local authorites given
powers to enforce
regulations on water
supplies and sanitation
1878 Public Health Act
This consolidated
existing laws
Obstacles faced to get public
health introduced
Money
People drank ale becuase
water was polluted
Water supply couldnt keep
up with growing population
Life expectancy
On average - 47
years old
The rich and professionals
(Doctors etc) lived longer