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Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1700–c1850 were different from ideas about the cause of illness in the years c1900–present.
Answer
In the years c1700–c1850, the predominant belief was that illness was caused by spontaneous generation theory, where diseases were thought to arise spontaneously from decaying matter or miasma, a noxious form of 'bad air.' In contrast, by the years c1900–present, the germ theory of disease gained acceptance, positing that specific microorganisms (germs) were the direct cause of many illnesses.
This shift indicates a significant advancement in scientific understanding, moving from vague notions of external environmental factors to a defined biological basis for disease. The germ theory allowed for the development of targeted medical treatments and preventive measures, leading to improved public health outcomes.