Attempts to prevent illness and disease

Prevention Strategies in Middle Ages (c500-1500)

Miasma theory: Belief that bad smells or ‘miasmas’ caused disease. Keeping streets clean and the air smelling sweet was important to prevent illness.
Religious approaches: Prayer, pilgrimages, and holy relics were used as protection against illness.
Herbal remedies: These were used to prevent illnesses, based on the Theory of the Four Humours.
Quarantine: During the Black Death (1348-49), there were attempts to quarantine the infected to prevent spread.

Continuation of miasma theory: Still a strong belief in miasma and the importance of clean air.
Personal hygiene: Perceived correlation between hygiene and health, with wealthier people able to bathe regularly.
Regulation: Introduction of public health Acts to maintain cleanliness in towns.

Sanitation reforms: Dramatic improvement in public health due to individuals like Edwin Chadwick and John Snow.
Vaccination: Greater use of vaccination, after Edward Jenner’s development of the smallpox vaccine in 1796.
Quarantine and isolation: Continued use of quarantine and increased use of isolation hospitals.

Antibiotics: Discovery and widespread use of antibiotics has significantly reduced many diseases.
Immunisation programmes: Regular vaccination and immunisation programmes for children and adults.
Public health campaigns: Government-backed campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent illness.
NHS and free healthcare: Establishment of National Health Service in 1948 made preventative healthcare more accessible.
Improved living conditions: Better housing, nutrition and working conditions have reduced spread of diseases.
Scientific research & technology: Advances in medical research and tech has allowed for earlier detection and prevention of diseases.