Victorian

Medicine

Two great discoveries in medicine were made in the nineteenth century - anaesthesia and the antiseptic method of surgery. Being able to put patients to sleep allowed surgeons to remove or repair troublesome bits inside. Antiseptics gave patients a better chance of surviving surgery.

Unfortunately it was early days for both these discoveries when the Crimean war was fought (1854-56).

In an attempt to improve the vile conditions for wounded soldiers, Florence Nightingale (in the picture) laid the foundations for nursing to become a properly trained profession. Previously nurses had often been rather unsavoury characters with little idea of hygiene or how to give proper care.

The emphasis Miss Nightingale put on hygiene had great effect on a soldier's chances of living, and established cleanliness as essential in care of the sick.

What did the soldiers call Florence Nightingale?

Click the picture for an answer.