Question 1: Identify and explain two major medical advancements that occurred in the 19th century and how they improved patient care.

Answer: Possible answers include the development of anesthesia, which allowed pain-free surgery; and the discovery of germs by Louis Pasteur, leading to better hygiene and infection control. Explanation should include how these advancements made treatments safer and more effective.

Question 2: Describe the significance of Joseph Lister’s work in the development of antiseptic techniques during the 1860s.

Answer: Joseph Lister introduced the use of carbolic acid to sterilize surgical instruments and wounds, significantly reducing infections and death rates after surgery, transforming surgical practices.

Question 3: Explain how the work of Florence Nightingale changed nursing and hospital hygiene in the 19th century.

Answer: Florence Nightingale emphasized cleanliness, sanitation, and proper hygiene practices, reducing infection rates and improving patient survival rates in hospitals.

Question 4: Describe the impact of the invention of the stethoscope on medical diagnosis in the 19th century.

Answer: The stethoscope allowed doctors to listen to internal body sounds such as the heartbeat and breathing, leading to more accurate diagnoses of chest and lung conditions.

Question 5: List three ways in which 19th-century hospitals differed from medieval hospitals.

Answer: Modern hospitals had better sanitation and cleanliness, more trained staff, and used new medical technologies. They were also more organized and focused on patient recovery.

Question 6: Sketch a diagram of a 19th-century hospital ward, including at least three features such as beds, sanitation facilities, and a nurse’s station.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a large room with multiple beds arranged in rows, a designated area for sanitation (like a washbasin), and a central space labeled as the nurse’s station. The sketch should be clear and proportionate.

Question 7: Explain the role of public health reforms in improving health in 19th-century Britain.

Answer: Reforms such as the Public Health Act of 1848 aimed to improve sanitation, clean water supply, and waste removal, reducing disease transmission and improving overall public health.

Question 8: Identify a famous figure associated with the development of vaccines in the 19th century and describe their contribution.

Answer: Louis Pasteur developed vaccines for rabies and anthrax, which helped prevent these deadly diseases and advanced the science of immunology.

Question 9: Write a brief paragraph explaining how the discovery of germs changed medical practices in the 19th century.

Answer: The discovery of germs by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch proved that microorganisms caused disease. This led to better hygiene, sterilization, and the development of antiseptics and vaccines, revolutionizing medicine.

Question 10: Discuss why the 19th century is considered a turning point in the history of medicine.

Answer: The 19th century saw significant breakthroughs such as anesthesia, germ theory, antiseptic techniques, and public health reforms. These developments drastically reduced mortality rates, improved treatments, and laid the foundation for modern medicine, marking it as a turning point.