Chadwick's 1842 report sparked
off a fierce debate about cleaning
up the towns. Supporters of reform
became known as the 'clean party'.
In 1844 the Health of Towns
Association was founded to campaign
for healthier living conditions.
Local branches were
set up across the
country.
Each produced evidence of
filthy streets, lack of sewage
facilities and inadequate
supplies of fresh water.
The association called for an Act of Parliament.
In 1847 a Public Health Bill
was finally introduced to
parliament.
It was strongly opposed
by a group of MP's who
were nicknamed the 'Dirty
Party'.
They believed in laissez-faire and
argues that it was not the governments
responsibility to clean up the towns.
Cleaning up the towns would cost too much
and make the government too powerful.
The poor were often looked down
on and it was thought that they
should try to help themselves.
The poor did not have votes so
why should the wealthy try to help?
Although Chadwick's report clearly
shows that there was a connection
between dirty living conditions and
disease, no one knew exactly what
caused these diseases.
Then, in 1848, cholera struck
again and MP's voted in favour
of the bill, which became the
first public health act.