Victorian Medicine

Conclusion

The changes that occurred within the Victorian era are not to be understated. The 1800s represented the first time that science emerged as a profession, and as such, the period witnessed the scientific study and observation of diseases, which created a modern understanding of medicine. For centuries ancient ideas, such as miasmas and humors, had dominated medical discourse, but for the first time, these were being challenged. There were also developments in the technology of medical instruments, and in the creation and chemistry of medications and vaccinations. The Victorian era marked a decisive turn towards modern medicine which has immensely influenced what we are familiar with today. That being said, the Victorian era also saw the continuation of traditional beliefs that discriminated across the lines of race, class, and gender. “Medicine in the Victorian Era” hopes to capture both the innovations and continuations that occurred during the period, to inspire a greater understanding of medicine and science, and to prompt further questions about how the medicine of today will be remembered in the future. 

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