How Cholelera Changes

Using notes taken in class with independent research give an account of the changes in the main causes of death over 150 years in the UK.

Over the past 150 years, the United Kingdom has seen a vast change in causes of death among its people. Cholera was one of these leading causes of death in the 1800s and was a chronic illness. It was introduced to the UK from Asia in the 1830s, a spread rapidly through the towns. Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea, which led to dehydration and even death. It is caused by food or water polluted with a bacterium called vibrio cholera. This disease was easily contracted and spread due to a high amount of polluted water being shared in close proximity. Poverty played a large role in the spread of cholera by influencing poor nutrition, overcrowding of towns and almost non-existent means for sanitation. Sewage systems were not in place, meaning rivers such as the Thames in London was an open
Medical advances such as antibiotics, vaccinations and treatments have played a large part in controlling such diseases. As well as medicine, certain laws and acts have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of society. Edwin Chadwick was an important researcher in the 1840s and influenced the establishment of the first Public Health Act in 1848 in the UK. The aim was to prevent illness, provide clean water and to create sustainable drainage for citizens. Following this, the 1875 Public Health Act brought together a range of Acts covering sewerage and drains, water supply, housing and disease. Local authorities appointed medical officers in charge of public health. Local sanitary inspectors were appointed to look after slaughterhouses and prevent contaminated food being sold. Local authorities were ordered to cover sewers, keep them in good condition, supply fresh water to their citizens, collect rubbish and provide street