England Wales urban population 1801 1891 farming

Better farming helped turn England into a country of cities

As agricultural productivity improved, fewer workers were needed to produce food for everyone else. That freed more people to work in manufacturing and services, supporting rapid urban growth. In England and Wales, the share of people living in towns and cities with more than 20,000 residents rose from about 17% in 1801 to 54% in 1891.

Poor nutrition early in life can cause lasting damage

Poor nutrition during a child's first 1,000 days can permanently limit physical and mental development. Food alone is not the whole problem: infections and parasites caused by poor sanitation can also stop the body from absorbing enough nutrients.

Doctors rejected handwashing even after it dramatically reduced deaths

In 1847, Ignaz Semmelweis required doctors at a Vienna maternity clinic to clean their hands with a chlorinated solution before examining patients. Deaths from childbed fever fell sharply. But his explanation challenged prevailing medical beliefs, and many colleagues resisted it. A lifesaving practice was rejected before the germ theory of disease became widely accepted.

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England Wales urban population 1801 1891 farming

Better farming helped turn England into a country of cities

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