The theory was eventually abandoned by scientists and physicians after 1880, replaced by the germ theory of disease: specific germs, not miasma, caused specific diseases. However, cultural beliefs about getting rid of odor made the clean-up of waste a high priority for cities. The word miasma comes from ancient Greek and means 'pollution'.
When did the germ theory of disease replace miasma theory?
The theory was eventually given up by scientists and physicians after 1880, replaced by the germ theory of disease: specific germs, not miasma, caused specific diseases. However, cultural beliefs about getting rid of odor made the clean-up of waste a high priority for cities.
What is the miasma theory?
Miasma theory. A representation by Robert Seymour of the cholera epidemic of the 19th century depicts the spread of the disease in the form of poisonous air.
Why did the concept of miasma fade out in China?
The environment changed rapidly, and after the 19th century, western science and medical knowledge were introduced into China, and people knew how to distinguish and deal with the disease. The concept of miasma therefore faded out due to the progress of medicine in China.
Can miasma be prevented?
The disease was said to be preventable by cleansing and scouring of the body and items. Dr. William Farr, the assistant commissioner for the 1851 London census, was an important supporter of the miasma theory.
When was the miasma theory replaced?
In the mid of the 19th century the miasma theory was replaced by the Germ theory of diseases (Maia 2013). The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460- 377 B.C.E.) believed that bad air could be the cause of any pestilences, the fatal epidemic.
Why did the miasma model persist?
However, the miasma model persisted because medical theory at the time believed the disease was cause by contaminated air, usually derived from decaying organic matter.
How long did the miasma theory last?
The theory of miasmas was still popular in the 1800s and led to the "Bad Air theory" which lasted until the 1860s and 1870s. Miasmic reasoning prevented many doctors from adopting new practices like washing their hands between patients.
What is the difference between Miasmatic theory and Contagionism?
Miasmatic theory is a theory that believed infectious diseases were transmitted due to miasma: a poisonous vapour emanated from decaying organic matter. Contagionism is a belief that stated contagious diseases are transmitted due to person to person physical contact.
How was miasma theory disproved?
It was not until 1876 that Robert Koch proved that the bacterium Bacillus anthracis caused anthrax, which brought a definitive end to miasma theory.
What are the two theories that disease caused the May downfall?
The miasma theory was the predominant theory of disease transmission before the germ theory took hold towards the end of the 19th century; it is no longer accepted as a correct explanation for disease by the scientific community.
What was the main idea of the miasma theory?
The miasma theory suggested that diseases are produced due to unhealthy or polluted vapors rising from the ground, or from decomposed material.
How did Snow's work refute the miasma theory?
Answer and Explanation: In 1857John Snow published his study of the Cholera outbreak. Snow found enough evidence that supported the idea that the causative agent of cholera was spread through water and not air as miasma theory suggested.
How was miasma treated in the Middle Ages?
Miasma: Belief that bad air was harmful and cause illnesses. Supernatural treatments: Praying, fasting + Pilgrimages. Rational treatments: Bloodletting, leeches + purging. Herbal remedies also used to treat the sick.
Where did the term miasma originate?
Borrowed from Latin miasma, from Ancient Greek μίασμα (míasma, “pollution”).
What is the germ theory and during what years was it accepted?
Germ theory states that specific microscopic organisms are the cause of specific diseases. The theory was developed, proved, and popularized in Europe and North America between about 1850 and 1920.
What does miasma mean in Greek?
Miasma (μίασμα) means “stain,” “defilement,” or “the stain of guilt” in Greek. It is usually translated as “pollution” in English, although there is no concept in English that precisely corresponds to miasma.
What does the Greek term miasma mean?
Miasma (μίασμα) means “stain,” “defilement,” or “the stain of guilt” in Greek. It is usually translated as “pollution” in English, although there is no concept in English that precisely corresponds to miasma.
How many types of Miasms are there?
There are three principle miasms, namely psora, sycosis, syphilis.
What is Miasm?
Noun. miasm (plural miasms) An unhealthy vapor or atmosphere; a miasma. (homeopathy) A predisposition to a particular disease, which interferes with subsequent treatment of it.
Overview
The miasma theory (also called the miasmatic theory) is an obsolete medical theory that held that diseases—such as cholera, chlamydia, or the Black Death—were caused by a miasma (μίασμα, Ancient Greek for 'pollution'), a noxious form of "bad air", also known as night air. The theory held that epidemics were caused by miasma, emanating from rotting organic matter. Though miasma theory is t…
Etymology
The word miasma comes from ancient Greek and means 'pollution'. The idea also gave rise to the name malaria (literally 'bad air') through medieval Italian.
Views worldwide
Miasma was considered to be a poisonous vapor or mist filled with particles from decomposed matter (miasmata) that caused illnesses. The miasmatic position was that diseases were the product of environmental factors such as contaminated water, foul air, and poor hygienic conditions. Such infection was not passed between individuals but would affect individuals within the locale t…
Developments from 19th century onwards
Based on zymotic theory, people believed vapors called miasmata (singular: miasma) rose from the soil and spread diseases. Miasmata were believed to come from rotting vegetation and foul water—especially in swamps and urban ghettos.
Many people, especially the weak or infirm, avoided breathing night air by going indoors and keeping windows and doors shut. In addition to ideas associated with zymotic theory, there was …
Replacement by germ theory
Although the connection between germ and disease was proposed quite early, it was not until the late 1800s that the germ theory was generally accepted. The miasmatic theory was challenged by John Snow, suggesting that there was some means by which the disease was spread via a poison or morbid material (orig: materies morbi) in the water. He suggested this before and in response to a cholera epidemic on Broad Street in central London in 1854. Because of the miasmatic theor…
In popular culture
• In Inuyasha, Naraku has the power of the miasma.
• In Inuyasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler, as Sō'unga killed it the ogres, and according to Saya their corpses contained the miasma.
• In Episode 44 of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, the Grim Comet has the miasma.
See also
• Germ theory of disease
• Airborne disease
• Homeopathy
Further reading
• Beasley, Brett (2015-09-30). "Bad Air: Pollution, Sin, and Science Fiction in William Delisle Hay's The Doom of the Great City (1880)". The Public Domain Review. 5 (18).
• Sterner, Carl S. (2007). "A Brief History of Miasmic Theory" (PDF). Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 22 (1948): 747.
• Thorsheim, Peter (2006). Inventing Pollution: Coal, Smoke, and Culture in Britain since 1800. Ohio University Press. ISBN 978-0-8214-1681-5.