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Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present.
Answer
In the years c1700–c1850, illness was primarily attributed to spontaneous generation, meaning that diseases were thought to arise from decaying matter or miasmas. This belief was deeply embedded in the ideas of the time, with little scientific understanding of germs or bacteria.
In contrast, by the years c1900–present, the germ theory of disease had gained acceptance. This theory, largely due to the work of scientists such as Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch, posited that specific microorganisms were responsible for specific diseases. This marked a significant shift in medical practice and understanding, as it led to more effective treatments and public health measures, such as sanitation and vaccination.
Thus, the key difference lies in the understanding of the cause of illness: from a belief in spontaneous generation in the earlier period to a scientific basis involving germs in the later period.