Disease in Retreat is a great antidote to our crowded and disease-ridden Victorian street! Here you can find out how scientific discoveries gradually led to a greater understanding of disease and a revolution in treatment and medical practice.
Nineteenth century ideas about the causes of disease included theories such as ‘miasmas’ or bad air; poisons generated by a sick person; or simply acts of god or punishment for immorality. But scientists gradually learnt about the existence of microscopic organisms or ‘germs’ and how disease can be transmitted from person to another.
In addition, the introduction of vaccines, antibiotics and other medicines vastly improved the health and wellbeing of the population and illnesses that were once Britain’s biggest killers are no longer a threat to most of us.
