Following extensive debate on Britain's poor sanitary conditions, the Act established the General Board of Health and local boards to advise on public health matters.
Anaesthetist John Snow proved that cholera was spread by contaminated water by linking the outbreak to a single water source. Later, Robert Koch identified the bacteria that caused cholera.
The Act abolished the General Board of Health. Its responsibilities were taken on by the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Local Government Act Office, and the Privy Council.
Legislation was introduced in an attempt to regulate 'common prostitutes', in order to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases within the British army and navy.
