Sir Arthur Newsholme and State Medicine, 1885–1935 (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine)

The half century between 1885 and 1935 witnessed an unprecedented expansion of preventive and therapeutic services offered by the state through its local authorities. Behind the expansion in public services were also profound changes in attitudes toward poverty and dependency and toward the political and cultural significance of health; changes in social policy and administration; and changes in the understanding of the causes of disease. This book examines this time of change through the ideas and experiences of one prominent participant, Sir Arthur Newsholme. Professor Eyler draws particular attention to Newsholme's role in constructing a highly successful local health programme; his tenure as the Medical Officer of the Local Government Board in Whitehall where he launched some of its boldest programmes including national health insurance; his post-retirement studies of international health systems; and his statistical and epidemiological studies and their connection to his policy recommendations. The half century between 1885 and 1935 witnessed a significant improvement in the health of the British people and an unprecedented expansion of state-provided preventive and therapeutic services. The book examines this time of change through the ideas and experiences of one prominent participant, Sir Arthur Newsholme, who rose to become a leading public health authority in Britain. Eyler draws particular attention to Newsholme's role in constructing a highly successful local health program; his tenure as the Medical Officer of the Local Government Board in Whitehall, where he launched some of its boldest programs including national health insurance; his post-retirement studies of international health systems; and his statistical and epidemiological studies and their connection to his policy recommendations. The half century between 1885 and 1935 witnessed a significant improvement in the health of the British people due in no small part to an unprecedented expansion of preventive and therapeutic services offered by the state through its local authorities. Behind the expansion in public services were profound changes in attitudes toward poverty and dependency and toward the political and cultural significance of health; changes in social policy and administration; and changes in the understanding of the causes of disease. This book examines the era through the ideas and experiences of Sir Arthur Newsholme, the leading public health authority in the Britain of his day Professor Eyler especially details Newsholme's tenure as the Medical Officer of the Local Government Board in Whitehall, where he helped to launch such bold measures a national health insurance and programs for tuberculosis, venereal disease, and infant welfare. Eyler also describes Newsholme's postretirement studies of international health systems; his statistical and epidemiological studies and their connection to his policy recommendations; and his conflicts with biometricians over these studies This book examines the transformation of the British public health system, during the years 1885-1935. Particular attention is drawn to Newsholme's role in constructing a highly successful local health programme, his tenure at the Local Government Board, his post-retirement studies of international health systems, and his statistical and epidemiological studies. On May 17, 1888, the Town Council of Brighton met to select the town's first full-time Medical Officer of Health (abbreviated M.O.H.). John M. Eyler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [395]-416) And Index.