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‘There was little improvement in dealing with infectious diseases in the years c1500–c1900.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 6
‘There was little improvement in dealing with infectious diseases in the years c1500–c1900.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer. You may use the following in... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:‘There was little improvement in dealing with infectious diseases in the years c1500–c1900.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
How far do you agree? Discuss the Great Plague, 1665.
Answer
The Great Plague of 1665 was one of the most significant infectious disease outbreaks in England. While it is true that societal responses to the plague included quarantine measures and efforts to isolate the sick, such approaches were limited and poorly understood by contemporary medical science. After the Great Plague, there was some progress, specifically in public health. For instance, authorities began to recognize the importance of isolation and cleanliness, leading to improvements over time.
Step 2
Explain your answer. Discuss the Broad Street Pump.
Answer
The Broad Street Pump incident in 1854 highlights some of the essential advancements in understanding disease transmission. John Snow's investigation into the cholera outbreak demonstrated the significance of water supply and sanitation in controlling infectious diseases. His mapping of cholera cases and the removal of the pump handle had immediate effects in reducing cholera cases. This shows a shift towards employing scientific methods to combat disease, illustrating that there was indeed some progress in dealing with infectious diseases after the Great Plague.
Step 3
Evaluate information of your own.
Answer
In addition to the Great Plague and the Broad Street Pump, the introduction of vaccination, particularly by Edward Jenner in 1796, represents a key advancement in public health. Vaccines were developed further in the 19th century, addressing diseases like smallpox. Legislation, such as the 1875 Public Health Act, aimed to improve sanitary conditions significantly, marking a considerable improvement in public health policy and response to diseases. Although some improvements were limited until the late 19th century, the groundwork established during this time laid the foundation for more extensive medical reforms.