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Year 10 - History

Hospital care in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries

Britain: Health and the people - c1000 to the present day

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about a theme in British history over a period of roughly 1000 years. They examine this theme, analysing the impact it had in Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial and Modern Britain, with a particular focus on change and continuity.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to evaluate the extent of change in hospital care in Britain between 1500 and 1800.

Key Notes

  • Many hospitals closed as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
  • More general and specialist hospitals were set-up in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • After the 16th century, more medical professionals were employed in hospitals.
  • Hospital treatments were often based on the Theory of the Four Humours.
  • Hospital conditions became more unsanitary during the 18th century.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • dissolution: the act or process of closing an organisation
  • unsanitary: dirty or unhealthy and therefore likely to cause disease

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Treatments in hospitals became significantly more effective as more medical staff were employed there.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

Many hospitals closed as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. More general and specialist hospitals were set-up in the 17th and 18th centuries.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'dissolution'

the act or process of closing an organisation.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Treatments in hospitals became significantly more effective as more medical staff were employed there. Correction: Treatments in most hospitals continued to be based on the incorrect Theory of the Four Humours so unhelpful practices such as bloodletting remained common.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 History guide library.