Public health

The Poor Law 1601 was established
Read moreEdward Jenner demonstrated that vaccinations worked to prevent diseases
Edward Jenner, a British scientist, discovered that vaccinations could be a way of preventing disease.
Read moreThe Royal Commission into the Operation of the Poor Laws reported back in 1834
launched an investigation into the administration of the poor laws in 1832. The commission reported back in March 1834, concluding that poverty was being perpetuated by the provision of relief.
Read moreThe Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 received royal assent on 14 August 1834
The system of providing support to the poor was overhauled by the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, widely dubbed the ‘new Poor Law’. The act grouped parishes into poor law unions under 6
Read moreThe 1836 Registration Act received royal assent
The 1836 Registration Act established the General Register Office and a new system of national registration of births, marriages and deaths to take effect from 1837.
Read moreThe Poor Law Commission in its fifth annual report linked poverty in London to disease
As part of the fifth annual report of the Poor Law Commissioners, work was undertaken to review the prevalence of fever in London.
Read moreThe 1840 Act to Extend the Practice of Vaccination was passed
The act permitted Poor Law guardians to appoint medical officers to vaccinate people at the public expense (ie a free service for the individual concerned).
Read more1841 Act to Amend and Extend the Practice of Vaccination was passed
The 1841 act made free vaccination available outside of Poor Law relief.
Read moreEdwin Chadwick's Report on the sanitary conditions of the labouring population of Great Britain was published
Edwin Chadwick was commissioned by the government to undertake an investigation into sanitation and make recommendations on improving conditions.
Read moreThe Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act 1846
The 1846 Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act was designed as temporary legislation to help to stem the spread of cholera.
Read moreThe first medical officer of health was appointed
The passing of the Public Health Act (sanitary 1846) led to the establishment of the role of medical officer of health in Liverpool, and William Henry Duncan was appointed in January 1847 to ensure th
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