Preceden

Government Action to Public Health in The 19th Century

Events

cholera epidemic

1831

cholera epidemic

1832

Poor Law Amendment Act

1834

medical officers were appointed to workhouses and provided basic medical care for the poor.

cholera epidemic

1848

public health act (1st)

1848

the central board of health was created. the act also encouraged local boards of health to set up appoint medical officers, provide sewers, inspect lodging houses and check food which was offered for sale. IT WAS VOLUNTARY.

cholera epidemic

1854

John Snow makes link between cholera and water

1854

Nuissance removal act

1855

this act made overcrowded housing illegal. Landlords could be fined if their properties were overcrowded.

the great stink

1858

cholera epidemic

1861

Pasteur suggests germ theory

1861

factory act

1864

this made unhealthy conditions in factories illegal.

cholera epidemic

1866

sanitary act

1866

this made councils responsible for sewers, water and street cleaning.

Pasteur proves germ theory

1867

working class men given the right to vote

1867

artisans dwellings act (1st)

1868

this gave councils the power to order landlords to improve insanitary houses. if they didn't, the council could BUY the property and pull it down.

artisans dwellings act (2nd)

1875

this gave councils the right to buy and demolish entire streets if the houses were in a poor condition and the landlords refused to improve them.

public health act

1875

brought together a range of acts. IMPORTANT! COMPULSORY

sale of food and drugs act

1875

this made it illegal to bulk out food with harmful things such as chalk and sawdust.

rivers pollution prevention act

1876

this aimed to prevent disposal of solid matter, sewage and pollutants into rivers and streams.

Koch discovers real cause of cholera

1883