We cannot ignore the fact that there is a link between disease and dirt; however, Chadwick overshadowed the findings of the medical profession who argued that social conditions such as food, housing and work, were more probable causes. Consequently, Chadwick stood in the way of social reform at that time. Furthermore, it is difficult to hail public health reform as a triumph due to the long draw out delays in implementing sanitary measures. The adoption of sanitation systems was managed by anxious boards of health and manipulated by scheming businessmen acting for personal gain. Overall, whilst the ‘sanitary idea’ provides our society with features such as clean drinking water and functioning sewer systems; it seems to have borne out of illogical reasoning, ignoring both the concerns of the people it attempted to assist (the urban working classes) and the medical profession who had a better understanding on what caused disease and contagion.
50