Public Health in the Dark Ages

Period in history from 500 to 1000 CE, characterized by a growing spiritual emphasis, health problems were seen as having spiritual causes and solutions.

This period saw a decline in Roman influence and a shift towards a more spiritual outlook.

This period saw a rise in spirituality and decline in reliance on scientific or rational explanations for health problems.

This period saw a rise in disease outbreaks, like the plague, due to a lack of understanding of the role of the physical environment in disease causation.

A historical period marked by widespread disease outbreaks due to a lack of understanding of disease cause and prevention.

The devastating plague that occurred in 543 CE and 1348 CE, killing millions of people.

A set of laws created around 1900 BCE that included regulations for physicians and health practices.

The earliest recorded evidence of public health practices, dating back to ancient civilizations in the 2nd millennium BCE.

A time period (500 b.c.e.-500 c.e.) where Classical societies like Greece and Rome made significant advancements in sanitation and public health practices.

The year of Jesus Christ's birth, often used as a starting point for counting years.

Greek men used swimming as a form of physical activity and skill development.

Greeks prioritized public health initiatives and sanitation. They collected water from distant sources and built public facilities for hygiene and recreational activities.

Romans greatly improved upon the sanitation practices of the Greeks. They constructed vast aqueduct systems to transport water from miles away and developed sophisticated sewer systems, enhancing the overall hygienic conditions of their cities.

A period from 1500 to 1700 that marked a resurgence of scientific inquiry and a shift from spiritual explanations to environmental ones for disease causation.

The belief during the Renaissance and Exploration period that diseases were caused by environmental factors and not solely spiritual forces.

This period experienced numerous devastating epidemics, including smallpox, diphtheria, measles, influenza, tuberculosis, anthrax, and trachoma.

The fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE led to a decline in public health practices and advancements, as the Roman Empire had played a significant role in providing public health services such as sanitation and healthcare.

During the Middle Ages, Christians established hospitals as charitable institutions, providing healthcare and shelter for the poor and sick, demonstrating a shift towards compassion and community care.

John Graunt's 'Observations on the Bills of Mortality' in 1662 was a groundbreaking work of public health analysis, providing vital statistics and insights into the causes of death and disease in London.

The observation of disease symptoms and outcomes led to the development of more accurate descriptions and classifications of diseases, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge.

Explorers, conquerors, and merchants unknowingly spread diseases to new territories, contributing to epidemics and impacting the health of indigenous populations.

Whooping cough, typhus, scarlet fever, and malaria were identified as distinct and separate diseases during this period, contributing to the evolving understanding of disease classification.

The plague (Yersinia pestis) caused devastating epidemics throughout history, including a major outbreak in London in 1665, highlighting the vulnerability to infectious diseases.

Leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae), cholera (Vibrio cholerae), tetanus (Clostridium tetani) were among the diseases identified during this period, showing the growing understanding of specific pathogens.

Before the germ theory was established, diseases were widely believed to be caused by bad air (miasma), imbalances in bodily fluids (humors), or supernatural forces.

An era marked by a shift from traditional, often spiritual explanations of disease to a more scientific understanding.

Dutch scientist who revolutionized biology by being the first to observe microorganisms using a microscope in the 1670s.

A French chemist who made significant contributions to germ theory by demonstrating that microorganisms are responsible for fermentation and spoilage in the 1860s.

A governmental policy of non-interference or minimal involvement in the affairs of individuals, businesses, or the economy.

A 1850 report that outlined a vision for public health in Massachusetts, highlighting the need for sanitation, disease prevention, and public health infrastructure.

A severe bacterial infection characterized by inflammation of the intestines, typically caused by the bacteria Shigella.

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The idea that diseases are caused by specific microorganisms, often called germs.

A set of criteria used to establish that a specific microorganism causes a specific disease.

The period in public health history focused on identifying and understanding the role of bacteria in causing diseases.

A disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, discovered in 1900.

The process of using carbolic acid to sterilize medical instruments and wounds, pioneered by Joseph Lister in the 1860s.

A period from 1900 to 1960, marked by a focus on developing health resources and infrastructure to address public health challenges.

The removal of the pump handle from the Broad Street pump in London in 1854, which effectively stopped a cholera outbreak.

The practice of washing hands with soap and water in hospitals, promoted by Ignaz Semmelweis in the 1840s to reduce infections.

The period from 1900 to 1920 during which significant progress was made in public health in Canada and the United States. This era saw the creation of national health agencies, the publication of influential works on public health, and the establishment of crucial public health initiatives.

The deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants.

A full range of prevention, mitigation, and recovery activities aimed towards preventing disease and reducing death rates in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The first national-level voluntary health agency created in Canada, established in 1902.

A 1904 Canadian law aimed at promoting and protecting the health of the population.

The year in which the first International Congress on Diseases of Occupation took place. This landmark event marked the growing awareness of occupational health hazards.

The first local health department established in the United States, in 1911.

The year in which the first school of public health was established in the United States. This marked a significant advancement in public health education and training.