Science and Medicine in the Industrial Revolution
By: Grace, Elizabeth, Emily, and Amelia
Atomic Theory
Pros and Cons
Background
- Pros
- Set the basis for the modern atomic theory
- Established the basic structure of an atom
- Cons
- Wasn't completely correct
- He said atoms are indivisible but atoms can be changed from one to another
- Discovered by John Dalton in the early 1800s
- Showed that each element has its own kind of atoms
- Also showed how different kinds of atoms combine to make all chemical substances
Impacts
- Crucial breakthrough in chemistry
- Challenged ancient Greek beliefs (believed that all matter was made of tiny particles called atoms)
- Also challenged earlier theories which put forth the idea that all atoms were basically alike
Surgery & Anesthesia
Pros and Cons
Background
PRO:Found new ways to save lives.
New advancement in medicine.
- In the early 1840's, anesthesia was used to relieve pain during surgery.
- Used anesthesia to explore operations.
- Some feared side-effects from the new anesthetic, and an overdose could kill.
- Before anesthesia, doctors had to preform surgeries within a short amount of time, but now they doctors could operate within a broader time frame.
CON: Lack of sanitation of tools killed patients via infection days after operation.
Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor, and Anthony Esler. <i>Prentice Hall World History</i>. Boston, Mass.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.
Impact
- Population size increased.
- More people were surviving
- Created a baseline of our advanced medical systems/inventions today.
Natural Selection
- Discovered by Charles Darwin
- Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859
- all beings evolved to present state over millions of years (theory of evolution)
- Used theory of evolution to support natural selection
- species constantly competed to survive
- Natural forces (environment) selected traits best suited for their environment
- those species passed traits on to offspring, other traits were slowly eliminated
- process of natural selection known as survival of the fittest
Impact
Social Darwinism
- people who applied Survival of the fittest to war and economy
- believed that they were more "fit" to survive in the economy than others
Racism
- encouraged by Social Darwinism
- belief that certain races were superior to others
- The Caucasian race believed success in western nations was due to superiority of their race
Pros and Cons
PROS
- foundation for different scientific studies
- molecular biology
- mutations
- classification of species
Impact
Pro
- Prevented patients from dying via infection
- Sanitation and sterilization of surgical equipment
- Took a step towards modern medicine
Con
CONS
- Social Darwinism and Racism
- Life spans increased.
- Less people dying from infection
- Less unsterilized equipment
- Discovered by Joseph Lister in August 1865
- He had his surgeons sterilize their instruments and wash their hands.
- Antiseptics got rid of dirt and bacteria that could lead to dangerous infections.
- this dramatically reduce deaths from infection.