Paper 2 Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:

June 2022

Q1: How useful is Source A to an historian studying issues in the modern treatment of

disease? Explain your answer using Source A and your contextual knowledge.

Answer:

In analysing and evaluating sources, students will draw on their contextual example, the context of the time in which source was created, place, author’s For example, the posters are useful because one of the big issues of healthcare in the 21st century is about getting information to people so that they can make intelligent decisions about their health. In the 19th century governments brought in improved sanitation, in the 20th century vaccination improved public health but in the 21st century the issues of the modern treatment of disease shows we need to go beyond national governments. It needs a global organisation like the WHO to point out the dangers of indiscriminate antibiotic use. enquiry point and the broader context of the thematic. This may evaluate utility For example, it is useful because it shows that in the 21st century healthcare is global and viruses can spread worldwide. Antibiotics have been used by some people since the development of penicillin during the Second World War. But today we have people who are allergic to penicillin and we use antibiotics too widely, without thinking, for animals and humans in some parts of the world. People should consult a doctor before using antibiotics to see whether they For example, it is useful because it shows that the World Health Organisation have to tell everyone that they should not use antibiotics when they don’t need them. It means they won’t work as the germs mutate and resist the antibiotics. Answers may show understanding/support for the source, but the case is made by assertion/basic inference For example, it is useful because it shows that people are taking too many antibiotics and the germs are becoming resistant.

Q2: Explain the significance of Christianity in the history of medicine.

Answer:

explaining the relationship between aspects of significance, for example over For example, the significance of the Christian church was that it helped and hindered medical progress. The church preserved ancient knowledge in its libraries and books that came from the Greeks and the Romans and made sure it was taught to physicians but the church also held back further scientific progress as St Bernard said, to buy drugs or consult with physicians doesn’t fit with religion. The Christian church said prayer was the best medicine. The Christian church in the Middle Ages held up medical progress by condemning new ideas as heresy. The 13th century English monk Roger Bacon was put under house arrest for suggesting that doctors should do original research and not just trust the old books. For example, Christianity was significant because it offered healthcare in the monasteries during the Middle Ages where the herbalist would treat people. They also encouraged wealthy people to set up hospitals which usually were small for only 12 patients, the same number as Jesus had disciples and they would be run by monks or nuns rather than doctors. Some were free such as St Leonard’s in York. For example, the medieval Christian church was significant because it controlled the universities so they controlled what was taught to doctors. Physicians were taught the knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans which the Christian church preserved in libraries. They also allowed physicians to learn some of the new ideas that came from Islam and which were introduced after the Dark Ages. For example, Christianity had a big influence on the treatment of illness because it was believed that prayer was a powerful medicine. The church ran hospitals in the Middle Ages where people prayed. During the Black Death the church said that God was punishing people for their sin. For example, Christ was a healer, he made people better.

Q3: Explain two ways in which the work of Paré and Lister was similar.

Answer:

For example, both Paré and Lister had a major influence on the future of surgery but not without criticism. Paré’s ligatures took much longer to do during battle surgery and might introduce infection to a wound. Lister was opposed by other surgeons who did not believe germs were responsible for infection and believed in spontaneous generation. As Lister changed his methods and carbolic was unpleasant there were many who criticised his methods. For example, they are similar because they both did something very different from what was the accepted practice. In 1537 Paré ran out of hot oil to cauterise his wounds which was the standard way of dealing with gunshots, and used a soothing mixture. And Lister did not amputate a young boy’s legs as most surgeons would have done but used a dressing soaked in carbolic For example, they are similar because both surgeons published their results. Lister published his results in March 1867 explaining how he used carbolic and Paré published a book, ‘Works on Surgery’ in 1575. for example, one of the identified similarities. For example, Paré and Lister both made important discoveries about surgery. Paré and Lister both helped wounds heal up after surgery. Lister used carbolic For example, Paré and Lister were both surgeons. should demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Q4: Has the role of the individual been the main factor in the development of public health

in Britain? Explain your answer with reference to the role of the individual and other factors. Use a range of examples from across your study of Health and the people: c1000 to the present day. and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the Copyright Team.

Answer:

For example, although governments have the power and wealth to change public health they are usually informed by the findings of science. Studies by individuals like Charles Booth’s, ‘Life and Labour of the people in London’ (1889) and Rowntree’s, ‘Poverty: a study of town life’ (1901) helped to create the political will to spend money and pass laws. These studies helped bring about the Liberal Social Reforms in 1906–1911 and a series of laws that transformed public health in Britain in the early 20th century. Answers may suggest that one factor has greater merit. related, for example, to the identified consequences. For example, governments have the money and power to change public health. In the middle ages, town governments tried to pass municipal laws to clean up their area, such as in Worcester a law of 1466 said that butchers had to clean up every night after their work. However, the problem was to ensure the enforcement of laws. In the nineteenth century government had to overcome laissez-faire attitudes to public health. Important events like cholera epidemics in 1831 and the Great Stink of 1858 persuaded government that it should act. Warfare can force governments to bring in changes but science has more effect. Governments are the main reason because they have power to bring in changes like the NHS in 1948, which offered a whole range of measures to For example, individual scientists have played a big part in helping to understand why disease happens and that public health is important. The work of John Snow in 1854 was important; he found that cholera was a waterborne disease. But he did not know about the part germs played. The Germ Theory of Pasteur contributed to the debate between the Contagionists and the anti- Contagionists which broke out over Typhoid fever. Anti-Contagionists thought that cleaning up areas was the answer. The scientific approach, in 1951, of Richard Doll’s study of tobacco smoking and cancer alerted people to the need to change their lifestyle. For example, over time different factors have been more important. In the 19th century, governments passed Public Health Acts in 1848 and 1875 to make towns and cities healthier. Science explained and could prove the causes of epidemics such as the cholera germ which Robert Koch identified in 1883. Another factor has been the influence of individuals such as Joseph Bazalgette and the London sewers which were finished in 1866. For example, students may offer a basic explanation stating that individuals can carry out investigations which helped to influence governments which then Students may provide a basic explanation of a different factor, such as science, was important because it could create new ways to help prevent epidemics.