Modern Concept of Preventive Medicine:

Now  let us  see how  the current concept of preventive medicine came into being. The story began only 150 years ago. People returning from a trip to USA, Europe or Japan undoubtedly are very fascinated and narrate modem technological advances. Another aspect they often remark on is the cleanliness observed  in their cities. Would you believe that a person who throws garbage outside the house or on the road or even on the highway has to pay a heavy fine? Were these nations as clean as they are  today? No, in fact, about 150  years ago, after  the Industrial Revolution, working class people of western countries lived  in extremely filthy conditions. Piles of refuse in front of houses, lack of sewerage, slaughter houses full of  flies, etc. were similar  to what we witness in the dd  crowded areas of  Indian cities and  in most of our villages today. Till then,  the western people did not know  that filth was the greatest enemy of  their health. During  the Industrial Revolution in  Europe, a close  connection between disease and sanitary conditions was demonstrated. At  that time as.many as 30  families shared one lavatory. Outbreak of epidemic diseases like cholera was very common. It was observed  that  labourers suffered a far higher incidence of disease  than the middle and upper classes.

As a result of these findings,  the concept of  state accepting responsibility  of people's health appeared,  and state health laws were made and enforced by  the police. A major epidemic of cholera occurred in  1832  in England. Then the sanitary cpnditions of  the working class wereinvestigated.  

It led to the belief that cholera and other diseases arose from the stinking gases that accompanied decaying animal matter. Water was found to have a role in the transmission  of disease. In  1848. England promulgated its Public Health Act, which defined  the role of  the state  in peoples' health and led to a great awareness  about sanitary matters. In  1875,  the Public Health Act defined the steps for a clean environment  and for clean water. Other European countries and America followed suit. Steps were taken to ensure clean water, smundings, houses and for control of offensive trades, such as carrying of  garbage  or excreta.