Miasma:This was a toxic vapor or mist thought to consist of particles from rotting substances, capable of causing illness and recognizable by its unpleasant odor. The miasma theory of disease began in the Middle Ages and remained influential for many years. During the 1665 Great Plague, physicians wore masks stuffed with fragrant flowers to protect themselves from harmful miasmas. In response to these miasmas, some buildings were cleaned, night soil was removed from public areas, and swamps were drained to eliminate foul smells. However, this approach was only effective if something had a bad odor. In winter, sanitation efforts were often neglected. The miasma theory remained popular into the 1800s and gave rise to the "Bad Air theory," which persisted until the 1860s and 1870s. Miasmic reasoning hindered many doctors from adopting new practices, such as washing their hands between patients, as they believed lethal agents were airborne, not residing on a doctor's skin.Even though the miasma theory was ultimately disproven, it acknowledged the connection between filth and disease and promoted cleanliness, setting the stage for public health reforms. Florence Nightingale, a pioneering nurse (1820-1910), was a strong advocate of the miasma theory and gained acclaim for her efforts to maintain clean, fresh, and well-ventilated hospitals. Additionally, the miasma theory spurred scientific interest in decaying matter, eventually leading to the discovery of microbes as the true causes of infectious diseases.
