Improving public health in the late 19th century
Laws to improve public health in the 1870s
During the 1870s, a number of laws were passed to help improve people鈥檚 health, hygiene and living conditions.
1870 Education Act
The 1870 Education Act made schooling compulsory. Some schools taught health education. Improved literacy enabled the public to read government pamphlets, eg about health and diet. Building regulations improved the quality of working-class housing.
1875 Public Health Act
Pressure began to mount on government from public health reformers. Finally, the 1875 Public Health Act forced councils to carry out improvements.
These included providing clean water, proper drainage and sewerage systems, and appointing a medical officer of health in every area.
1875 Artisans' Dwellings Act
The 1875 Artisans' Dwellings Act allowed councils to buy up Very poor quality housing. demolish it and build better homes for working families. Most notably, the act resulted in the major redevelopment of the centre of Birmingham.
However, councils were not forced to implement the act, and there were concerns about the cost. As a result, by 1881 only 10 out of 87 towns in England and Wales had used these powers.
Other laws
Several other laws led to improvements in public health and hygiene in this period:
| Year | Act |
| 1875 | The Sale of Food and Drugs Act banned the use of harmful substances in food, eg chalk in flour. |
| 1876 | Laws against pollution of rivers were introduced. |
| 1878 | Epping Forest in London became a protected open space for local people to enjoy. |
| Year | 1875 |
|---|---|
| Act | The Sale of Food and Drugs Act banned the use of harmful substances in food, eg chalk in flour. |
| Year | 1876 |
|---|---|
| Act | Laws against pollution of rivers were introduced. |
| Year | 1878 |
|---|---|
| Act | Epping Forest in London became a protected open space for local people to enjoy. |
Changes to the vote and working conditions
By 1884, most working men had been given the vote. From this point on, their demands were more likely to be heard by the Members of Parliament, who wanted their votes.
By the late 19th century, the industrial revolution was finally bringing benefits to the working class. Laws had been passed limiting hours of work and improving working conditions.
Higher wages helped people get better houses and a healthier, more varied diet. Industrialisation brought cheaper, mass-produced products, eg soap, disinfectant, toilets and cotton clothing. This improved health.
Action from local councils - Birmingham
To begin with, people in Birmingham resisted spending council money to improve public health. They refused to allow the city to buy the Birmingham Waterworks company in 1853, sacked the borough engineer and replaced him with someone else on half the pay, and cut spending on roads by half. As a result, road and housing conditions in the city were appalling.
When Joseph Chamberlain became mayor in 1873, this quickly changed. He took over the gas and water companies, improved their services, cut their prices and used their profits to help improve conditions in the city.
Gas company land was turned into ten acres of park. Forty acres of slum housing was taken down in the city centre in 1876. It was replaced with a shopping centre, an art gallery and a public library.
Mixed progress
Even after the passing of the 1875 Public Health Act, progress was not as rapid as had been hoped. Some councils, such as Birmingham, made rapid progress in building sewers, water supplies and other facilities. However, others lagged behind.
The late 19th century had seen great strides in public health provision and hygiene. However, there was still a lot of ill health. In 1900, average life expectancy was still below 50 years, and 165 infants out of every 1,000 still died before their first birthday.