The 1800s marked a period when modern medicine began to take shape, but healthcare was still extremely limited. Infectious diseases, such as cholera and tuberculosis, were rampant and often fatal. Without antibiotics, treatment relied heavily on traditional remedies.
Surgeries during this era were notoriously painful, as anesthesia was not yet widely used. The risk of infection during surgical procedures was high because sterilization techniques were virtually nonexistent. Doctors often operated without washing their hands or disinfecting their tools.
Medicine in the 1800s was more of an art than a science. Folk remedies and herbal treatments were common. Vaccination efforts began only in 1796, with Edward Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine.
In conclusion, while the 1800s presented immense challenges in healthcare, the discoveries and practices of this period laid the groundwork for the advancements of modern medicine.