Expert: Mark Smith - 2/26/2005

Question
how were public health concerns addressed in 18th century london?
and what sort of public health issues were there?

Answer
Hello Mandy.
The public health concerns of 18th century London were mainly over insanitary conditions and overcrowding. There was no refuse collection, no mains drainage and not enough clean water. The population grew rapidly as country folk moved to the City, but accommodation remained poor. Houses held more people than they were designed for and sheds and stables were converted into makeshift dormitories. The death rate exceeded the birth rate and such diseases as consumption, dysentry, smallpox and typhus were prevalent. Also general under-nourishment and bad winters killed many poorer people. Only the influx of people from the countryside kept the population growing. Crime was also rife and there were no restrictions on the sale of alcohol or drugs.
Very little was done to address these health concerns other than to force the more unsanitary industries such as leather tanning, glue-making and candle-making out of the City to the suburbs. Other health issues and overcrowding were not fully addressed until the 19th century.
Mark