PHSC 401 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Arctic Circle, Freiburg Im Breisgau, Gluttony

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Public Health Science
• Course: PHSC 401
• Professor: Boyle

Document Summary

Ancient romans pioneered many public health techniques. The romans pioneered an effective administrative system for public health. Officials oversaw the water supply, the food supply, etc. Made contributions to the public health tradition of urban planning and organized medicine. Hansens main point: roman system provided for the public health in certain ways. Benefit: romans don"t quite accomplish what is a fundamental tenant. Have to keep waste water separate from the clean water. Most of the waste water was deliberately directed into tiber river which flowed into the city. Always problems repairs neglected infrastructure broke down. Allowed citizens to take baths, practice proper hygiene. Helped put out fires; provided for public safety. Sanitation to leave the cities; get rid of waste water via sewage. People with money could tap the water rich people had latrines and things the poor didn"t. Negative outcomes: feces/chamberpots thrown out the window. System was corrupt lead poisoning because water traveled through lead.