Roman Public Health System Research Paper
The Romans were the first civilization to introduce a public health system. They had to do this because Rome had grown in size and it was impossible to find a natural source of fresh water in the city. It was also necessary to find a way of disposing of the rubbish to prevent pollution causing health problems.
Aqueducts were built to transport fresh water into the city. In AD100 there were a total of nine aqueducts that brought fresh water into the city of Rome. Public baths were places where people could go to bathe, meet and discuss business. There were hot and cold baths as well as massage rooms.
A network of sewers was built to take sewerage and waste out of the city to the river Tiber. There were also public …show more content…
It was dominant in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa until its collapse in the fifth century AD. The Romans had a highly structured central and provincial government system which collected huge tax revenues and spent them on the maintenance of roads, a vast army and the extensive public health system of its major cities. The Roman Public Health System was so successful that life expectancy for the 1 000 000 citizens of Rome in 30AD was longer than that for the citizens of London in 1300AD.
The Romans chose carefully when building new cities
Roman cities were never built near to swamps. They believed that the bad air and stagnant water of the swamps caused disease. The marshes near to the city of Rome were drained to ensure that they could not cause ill health.
Clean and fresh water was made available
The Romans developed great engineering skills, and used these to provide fresh water to their cities. Aqueducts and pipes were built to carry water from hills and rivers into the centre of cities. Filters were designed to remove any impurities in the water before it was drunk. Water was piped straight into the houses of the wealthy, and public drinking fountains were provided for the
Aqueducts were built to transport fresh water into the city. In AD100 there were a total of nine aqueducts that brought fresh water into the city of Rome. Public baths were places where people could go to bathe, meet and discuss business. There were hot and cold baths as well as massage rooms.
A network of sewers was built to take sewerage and waste out of the city to the river Tiber. There were also public …show more content…
It was dominant in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa until its collapse in the fifth century AD. The Romans had a highly structured central and provincial government system which collected huge tax revenues and spent them on the maintenance of roads, a vast army and the extensive public health system of its major cities. The Roman Public Health System was so successful that life expectancy for the 1 000 000 citizens of Rome in 30AD was longer than that for the citizens of London in 1300AD.
The Romans chose carefully when building new cities
Roman cities were never built near to swamps. They believed that the bad air and stagnant water of the swamps caused disease. The marshes near to the city of Rome were drained to ensure that they could not cause ill health.
Clean and fresh water was made available
The Romans developed great engineering skills, and used these to provide fresh water to their cities. Aqueducts and pipes were built to carry water from hills and rivers into the centre of cities. Filters were designed to remove any impurities in the water before it was drunk. Water was piped straight into the houses of the wealthy, and public drinking fountains were provided for the