What was a primary factor contributing to the increase of hospitals in the late 19th century?

The increase of hospitals in the late 19th century can be primarily attributed to advances in surgical techniques and anesthesia. During this period, there were significant developments in surgical practices, such as antiseptic techniques introduced by Joseph Lister, which drastically reduced the risk of infection and improved patient outcomes. The introduction of anesthesia allowed for more complex surgeries to be performed safely, making surgery more viable and appealing to patients. As a result, with better surgical outcomes, more individuals sought medical care in hospitals, leading to an increase in the number of hospitals being established to meet this growing demand.

While government funding, public demand, and religious organization initiatives also played roles in the development of healthcare systems, the impactful changes in surgical procedures and anesthetic methods were pivotal in transforming hospitals into places of advanced medical care, prompting their proliferation during this time.