作者: S. Halliday
DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.323.7327.1469
关键词:
摘要: > “From inhaling the odour of beef butcher's wife obtains her obesity.” > > Professor H Booth, writing in Builder , July 1844 This assertion is perhaps most extravagant manifestation a belief that prevailed medical profession for much 19th century and survived some quarters into 20th century. This held most, if not all, disease was caused by air infected through exposure to corrupting matter. Such matter might be rotting corpses, exhalations other people already infected, sewage, or even vegetation. The “miasmatic” explanation cause figured prominently long debates among who were responsible combating cholera epidemics afflicted Britain, particularly London, between 1831 1866. #### Summary points In Victorian period theory causation took strange forms influential people Dr John Snow's hypothesis polluted water being accepted official circles at time his death 1858 In 1858 “Great Stink” concentrated minds legislators on problems metropolitan sewage As result this, Joseph Bazalgette finally allowed proceed with plan main drainage London London's final epidemic, 1866, an area yet protected Bazalgette's system, helped ensure gained acceptance circles In letter quoted above, Booth expressed orthodoxy time.1 Edwin Chadwick's (1800–90) Report Sanitary Condition Labouring Population Great Britain published 1842, argued improvement house remove noxious smells from dwellings.2 In same year Sir Francis Head, colonial governor had served …