Whenever people have come together to swap goods and ideas, the exchange of germs has inevitably occurred, too
after the Industrial Revolution cities choked with dirt. Charles Dickens, the great chronicler of the hardships of early modern life, wrote in “Oliver Twist” of a slum in Bermondsey, in south London, that consisted of “rooms so small, so filthy, so confined, that the air would seem too tainted even for the dirt and squalor which they shelter”. It contained, he continued, “every repulsive lineament of poverty, every loathsome indication of filth, rot, and garbage”.
The Roman Empire, which had high levels of urbanisation, was repeatedly ravaged by pandemics. These occasionally threatened to topple the state: including, in the 6th century, the first major outbreak of bubonic plague, which killed as many as 30m people. When the plague again roamed across Eurasia eight centuries later, claiming the lives of between 30% and 60% of Europeans, it once more followed traders from city to city.
Consider the use of forks, which slowly spread across Western Europe during the late Middle Ages. These provided a more hygienic means of moving food to the mouth than fingers. But their power as a status symbol derived more from the dainty, dexterous handling required by the utensil. In the absence of a germ theory, fashion could only take society so far.
But dirt posed a greater threat to the sustainability of capitalist growth than socialist thinkers did. High urban mortality rates placed a ceiling on the extent to which early industrial societies could urbanise, of about 30%—or roughly the share of the population of the Netherlands considered urban in the 18th century. The deadliness of industrial cities became a bottleneck to modern economic growth.
It was not easy. Despite reports such as Chadwick’s, scientific understanding remained scant.
Similarly, while some research suggests that municipal investments in public-health measures can explain most or nearly all of the decline in mortality in the late 19th century, it is difficult to be certain. Cities in which public support for sanitary investments was high, for example, might have been more aware of public-health information generally, and more inclined to practise good personal hygiene.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Bryan Cranston Reveals He Tested Positive and Recovered From COVID-19The actor shared a video of himself donating plasma, as well as reminding people to wash their hands and wear a mask.
Weiterlesen »
Bryan Cranston Donating 'Liquid Gold' Plasma After Recovering From COVID-19'I urge you to keep wearing the damn mask, keep washing your hands and stay socially distant,' the actor said.
Weiterlesen »
The Muslim Fashion Designer Making Hijabs For COVID-19 Frontline WorkersThe sanitary head scarves are easily washed and safely reused.
Weiterlesen »
How to debunk dodgy data“Calling Bullshit” is a helpful guide to navigating a world full of doubtful claims based on spurious data
Weiterlesen »
Tatcha Created Its Own 'Animal Crossing' Island To Debut Its New CleanserTatcha is launching their new Rice Wash with a virtual pop-up event that you can visit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Weiterlesen »