What impact did hygiene improvements have on 19th-century medicine?

Hygiene improvements in the 19th century had a profound impact on public health and medicine, leading to decreased mortality rates. During this period, significant figures such as Florence Nightingale and Joseph Lister championed the importance of sanitation, cleanliness, and antiseptic techniques in hospitals. The implementation of these hygiene practices reduced the spread of infections, particularly in surgical settings and hospitals, where unsanitary conditions were previously commonplace.

As hospital environments became cleaner and infection control measures were established, patients were less likely to contract diseases that could lead to death. This dramatic change ultimately contributed to a notable decline in mortality rates, especially from post-surgical infections and diseases that were exacerbated by poor hygiene. Improved sanitation in public spaces also played a crucial role in reducing the incidence of communicable diseases, further supporting the decline in death rates during this period.

While the other options may touch on relevant aspects of medical practices, such as surgery frequency and recovery times, they do not capture the significant overall impact that improved hygiene had on public health outcomes and mortality rates specifically.