Q)Detailed account on the prevention of disease in ancient and modern times
Ans)Washing of hands before and after meals, daily bathing, not carrying footwear into living rooms, denial of permission to enter place where food is cooked, especially for persons who have not had a bath. These practices must have evolved through observations over a long period, that certain practices helped in preventing diseases. Isolation of mother and the new born, soon after delivery was a a common custom which also helped in preventing infection of the mother and the baby. Excavation of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa have revealed the existence of a covered drainage system and water supply. House drains emptied all waste water into the street drains. They also had arrangements for proper sanitation. Similarly, ancient civilizations of Egypt Greece and China had medical systems. Egyptians had arrangements for public baths and underground drainage.The use of mosquito nets and association of plague with rats were known to them. Hippocrates, the most illustrious Greek physician of the 5th century b.c. examined significance of climate water clothing eating and drinking to health. He was truly a man concerned with hygiene. The ancient Indian and Chinese system of medical care knew about immunization also.Inoculation with live small pox germs to prevent small pox was known to them.In 1848, England promulgated its public health act, which defined the role of the state in people's health and led to a great awareness about sanitary matters. In 1875 the Public Health Act defined the steps for a clean environment and clean water, surroundings houses and for control of offensive trades such as carrying of garbage or excreta. In this way, the spread of many diseases were controlled to a great extent. Clearing away decaying matter and dirt, removing breeding grounds for microbes which foul the air were taken up. However, these measures could not bring effective control of epidemics in urban areas. While these environmental measures were promoting health of people, specific measures to prevent disease in an individual or in the community were also being attempted.
Ans)Washing of hands before and after meals, daily bathing, not carrying footwear into living rooms, denial of permission to enter place where food is cooked, especially for persons who have not had a bath. These practices must have evolved through observations over a long period, that certain practices helped in preventing diseases. Isolation of mother and the new born, soon after delivery was a a common custom which also helped in preventing infection of the mother and the baby. Excavation of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa have revealed the existence of a covered drainage system and water supply. House drains emptied all waste water into the street drains. They also had arrangements for proper sanitation. Similarly, ancient civilizations of Egypt Greece and China had medical systems. Egyptians had arrangements for public baths and underground drainage.The use of mosquito nets and association of plague with rats were known to them. Hippocrates, the most illustrious Greek physician of the 5th century b.c. examined significance of climate water clothing eating and drinking to health. He was truly a man concerned with hygiene. The ancient Indian and Chinese system of medical care knew about immunization also.Inoculation with live small pox germs to prevent small pox was known to them.In 1848, England promulgated its public health act, which defined the role of the state in people's health and led to a great awareness about sanitary matters. In 1875 the Public Health Act defined the steps for a clean environment and clean water, surroundings houses and for control of offensive trades such as carrying of garbage or excreta. In this way, the spread of many diseases were controlled to a great extent. Clearing away decaying matter and dirt, removing breeding grounds for microbes which foul the air were taken up. However, these measures could not bring effective control of epidemics in urban areas. While these environmental measures were promoting health of people, specific measures to prevent disease in an individual or in the community were also being attempted.
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