 starter activity
Cartoon published in
1864, entitled ‘Death’s
Dispensary’ – a
dispensary is another
word for a chemist’s .
Can you explain the
meaning behind this
mysterious cartoon?
Can you guess the
original caption to this
image?
 starter activity
‘Death’s Dispensary’ –
a dispensary is
another word for a
chemist’s . How has
this changed your
interpretation of the
image?
Dr John Snow
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Dr John Snow - trained
doctor
1854, Cholera outbreak detected a link between
cholera & water supply
Used meticulous
research, observation &
house-to-house
interviews
Link identified between
pump in Broad St.
(London) and deaths
Dr John Snow
Why did public health
finally improve in the
1800s?
 Learning objectives
To assess the impact of the work of
individuals, government, chance & science &
tech. on the development of the Public
Health Act, 1848
 Your task
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Read about Edwin Chadwick on
p.149. In the INDIVIDUALS
column of your table write
Chadwick’s name and record
evidence of his contribution to
improving public health.
Extension. In a different
colour record evidence to
suggest he may have had a
detrimental effect.
Individual
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Worked for Poor Law Commission – aware of
problems caused by poverty
Specialist knowledge – worked for National
Board of Health
Published a report – ‘On sanitary conditions of
the Labouring Population’
Made link between poverty and poor health
Recommended important reforms, e.g. medical
officers & better sanitation
 Your task
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Read about the outbreak of
cholera in 1847 on p.149.
Write down the heading
‘Cholera, 1947’ in the
CHANCE column and
note down how this helped
improve public health.
Extension. Note down
in a different colours
examples in the past where
outbreaks of disease had
helped improve public
health
Chance
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Cholera spread through Europe, 1847
British government was worried about
thousands dying and implemented Chadwick’s
recommendations
What message
is the
cartoonist
trying to
convey in this
contemporary
image of the
1847 cholera
epidemic?
 Your task
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Read about the Public Health Act, 1848 on p.150. Write
the heading ‘Public Health Act, 1848’ in the
‘GOVERNMENT’ column and note down all the
positive changes it introduced.
In a different colour note down the problems with the
Act
Read about the impact of Chadwick’s work on the
Health Act and reach a judgement on his influence.
Extension. Read about the work of William Farr and
add notes on his contribution in the ‘Individuals’
column
Public Health Act, 1848
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National Board of Health
Towns with high death rates could be forced to
take action
Local councils could raise taxes to provide better
public health
Councils could appoint medical officers &
boards of health
Not compulsory & Board of Health abolished in
1854
 Your task
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Read p.156-7 and in the ‘SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY ’ section note down all the positive
changes it introduced.
In a different colour note down any problems with the
new advances in technology
Extension. Read p.154 & note down how Louis
Pasteur’s work can be linked to advances in ‘Science
and technology’
Science & Technology
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Flushing toilets
1853, tax removed from soap
Joseph Bazalgette – 83 miles of sewers
Industrial machinery used to build sewers &
better facilities
Only rich could afford new technologies
New sewage system took years to complete

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Your teacher will give you a set of 9 cards.
Arrange them into a diamond nine formation.
With the most important cards at the top.
Can you see any links between the cards?
 Homework

Complete any unfinished
sections of your chart.
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Produce a factoid on Dr
John Snow by conducting
further research into his life.
Find out about his early life,
his work in Broad Street, his
influence on public health
 Plenary
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Why was public health so bad in the early 1800s?
What contribution did these factors make to
improvements in public health:
Individuals
Chance
Government
Science & Technology
Extension. Which factor was the most
important?