Social Reforms

There are many – but they are some of the most fun to discuss!

http://acincinnatihistory.blogspot.com/2009/07/renascence-friday-city-built-on-bacon.html

http://www.americanantiquarian.org/Exhibitions/Food/swift1.jpg

http://www.americanantiquarian.org/Exhibitions/Food/swift4.jpg

Original caption: Typical dressing room in an American meat-packing house. This industry first developed conveying-belt methods. http://www.corbisimages.com/Search/SearchResults.aspx?q=%20"Food%20packaging%20plant“

SOCIAL REFORMS The idea that the government’s

powers get expanded, so it couldbecome more active in improving

the lives of its citizens (a.k.a. Social Welfare)

Social Reform #1

• Safer Food–Government Inspection

of Food needed–Proper Labeling –Cleanliness of factories

Have you read “The Jungle”?

Yuck!

Remember . . . The Jungle• Written by Upton

Sinclair• Talks about the

horrors of the meat packing industry• Informs public

and gov’t. of problem

Chicago - Meat Packing Industry - Swift's Packing House: pickling and curing warehouse (contains 10,000 tons of hams)

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006679969/resource/?sid=9603b786d829c8660213a0c2a7c126ed

Splitting backbones and final inspection - hogs ready for cooler, Swift & Co., Chicago http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004679461/resource/cph.3b03613/?sid=cb1cb501d5a51ad4a35b521de283279f

Unhairing machine at work

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/89709166/resource/?sid=323427912cf939363169c08101b4b608

Chicago - Meat Packing Industry - Swift's Packing House: automatic scraping machine (capacity 1000 hogs per hour) http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006679968/resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7b82d3d51f1f2121e5b76d9

Chicago - Meat Packing Industry - Swift & Co.'s Packing House: great soup kettles - capacity 350,000 lbs. each

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006679962/resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7b82d3d51f1f2121e5b76d9

Result:Result: Meat Inspection Act of Meat Inspection Act of 19061906

All animals were required to pass All animals were required to pass an inspection by the U.S. Food an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to and Drug Administration prior to slaughter slaughter

All carcasses were subject to a All carcasses were subject to a post-mortem inspection post-mortem inspection

Cleanliness standards were Cleanliness standards were established for slaughterhouses established for slaughterhouses and processing plants.and processing plants.

Postmortem inspection, 1906. Source: Library of Congress

http://www.lib.niu.edu/1999/iht639944.html

Check this out!

Social Reform #2

• Safer Medicines–Restrict Harmful

Drugs–Proper Labeling –Government

Approval of Future Drugs/Medicines

Patent MedicinesPatent Medicines

• Medicines at the turn of the century did not require a

prescription.

• Making exaggerated claims, they were used for a variety of ailments.

• Many contained dangerous ingredients.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Pink_pills_for_pale_people.png

Note ↑

...More Exaggerated Claims!

Cocaine was a common ingredient – even for children's medicines

Until 1903, a typical serving contained around 60mg of cocaine

“You'll be surprised how quickly it will ease the tired brain”

Morphine

Notice it's from the makers of Bayer Aspirin...

Result:Result: Pure Food and Drug Act of Pure Food and Drug Act of 19061906

1)1) Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(FDA) created and responsible created and responsible for testing all foods and drugs for testing all foods and drugs planned for human useplanned for human use

2)2) PrescriptionsPrescriptions required from required from licensedlicensed physicians for certain physicians for certain drugs drugs

3)3) Warning labelsWarning labels required on required on habit-forming drugs habit-forming drugs