Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Rochester has been referred to as America’s first boomtown, thanks to contributions from the Erie Canal in the early parts of the 19th century. This new development sparked the catalyst for extreme industrialization in Rochester, with large factories being introduced in the city (i.e. Kodak). With rapid industrialization came coinciding health developments, much of the time with detrimental effects. Industrialization created a cycle that shaped the public health sphere. For example, industrialization caused the spread of more diseases, then industrialization helped to combat these diseases; industrialization led to more deaths by accidents, then industrialization helped to prevent these accident-based deaths.At the start of industrialization, most deaths were caused by Tuberculosis, which in part was caused by a lack of access to public health, cramped housing, and poor working conditions. As the 20th century approached, a larger emphasis was placed on public health access, prompting more hospitals to be established in Rochester, and more specialization in the realm of healthcare. However, industrialization also led to an increase in accident-based deaths, which in turn prompted more safety precautions implemented in the workplace, especially those with heavy machinery present. This presentation explores the patterns of public health/causes of death and the cyclical relationship of health and industrialization by using archival records of Mt Hope Cemetery, accessed through theRush Rhees Library, University of Rochester [https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/3310].
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Morgan, "257-Effects of Industrialization on Causes of Death in 19th and Early 20th Century Rochester" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 75.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/75
257-Effects of Industrialization on Causes of Death in 19th and Early 20th Century Rochester
Rochester has been referred to as America’s first boomtown, thanks to contributions from the Erie Canal in the early parts of the 19th century. This new development sparked the catalyst for extreme industrialization in Rochester, with large factories being introduced in the city (i.e. Kodak). With rapid industrialization came coinciding health developments, much of the time with detrimental effects. Industrialization created a cycle that shaped the public health sphere. For example, industrialization caused the spread of more diseases, then industrialization helped to combat these diseases; industrialization led to more deaths by accidents, then industrialization helped to prevent these accident-based deaths.At the start of industrialization, most deaths were caused by Tuberculosis, which in part was caused by a lack of access to public health, cramped housing, and poor working conditions. As the 20th century approached, a larger emphasis was placed on public health access, prompting more hospitals to be established in Rochester, and more specialization in the realm of healthcare. However, industrialization also led to an increase in accident-based deaths, which in turn prompted more safety precautions implemented in the workplace, especially those with heavy machinery present. This presentation explores the patterns of public health/causes of death and the cyclical relationship of health and industrialization by using archival records of Mt Hope Cemetery, accessed through theRush Rhees Library, University of Rochester [https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/3310].