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The 19th century refers to the 1800s.

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PERSPECTIVE

American Medical Association started in 1846.

Ignaz Semmelweis requires physicians to wash their hands in 1847.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

Joseph Lister published a paper introducing antiseptic surgical methods in 1867.

John Hopkins Hospital opened in 1889.

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As America became urbanized, city governments began to build hospitals to treat the poor. In the years following the Civil War, hospitals became either public or private.

More medical schools devoted themselves to medical research, and created requirements to become a physician.

Nursing became more professionalized. It started as a gender-based and female stereotyped occupation.

In 1899 Associations became stronger. Doctors had more authority and pay. Employers and labor unions began to offer a range of benefits to workers, including paid medical care.

National health insurance became associated with socialism, which opened the doors for private health insurance.

The Development of a Healthcare System