Of these, which has been the most beneficial to improved health and overall well

1. 84

   bethperryposted 9 years ago

   Of these, which has been the most beneficial to improved health and overall well-being of humanity?
   
   And why?
   1. Penicillin
   2. Air conditioning
   3. Sanitation laws and plumbing
   4. Pasteurization
   5. Adequate dental hygiene
   6. The discovery of alcohol distillation
   7. Soap and water

   replyreport
2. 79

   pippapposted 9 years ago

   There is no doubt in my mind that good, old-fashioned soap and water; and, plenty of them are the two best preventatives to sickness and disease.  Cleanliness, especially of the face and hands, is probably the best defense we have against bugs, viruses; and, other disease-causing agents.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Intelligent argument! Thanks pippap!

      replyreport
3. 0

   SassySue1963posted 9 years ago

   I can eliminate air conditioning from the conversation. That stuff just recirculates old air and my sinuses are always better when I open windows.
   Soap & water have been around forever - just that people didn't use them as much.
   On a big scale - my top two would be sanitation and penicillin. One because dirty water causes all manner of sickness. The other because bacteria are responsible for much of the rest.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great points, SassySue1963. I also think air conditioning (along with refrigeration) has a great effect on the longevity and quality potency of penicillin.

      replyreport
4. 64

   Tusitala Tomposted 9 years ago

   Out of those things listed I'd opt for Sanitation laws and plumbing as the most effective change affecting the health of people living in large towns or cities.  Before it became commonplace there were always frequent outbreaks of cholera.  When Londoners stopped dumping their sewage and other waste into the streets and alleys and the huge network of sewers and drains were put it, the quality of life of, what was then, the greatest city in the world, went up in leaps and bounds.
   
   We've still got a long way to go with this, of course.  Londoners promptly started draining all that waste water and sewage into the River Thames. 
   
   As for the others: pencillin saved millions of lived but became the forerunner for today's 'super-bugs.' Airconditioning is good but costs the world in pollution as we rip up our coal reserves to keep them going. 
   
   Pasteurization, yes. Good.  But not as big a deal as sanitation.  Dental hygiene.   Yes, Good, but once again, not as worldly effective as No3.   
   
   Grog.  Well...Like many it is both a pleasure and a curse.  Won't go there.
   
   Soap and water.   You can actually take a shower and a bath witout the former, so it is not an essential.
   
   Howszat!

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Nicely articulated points!

      replyreport
5. 38

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   I agree with pippap about soap and water - being clean, very important. Sanitation of course is probably the most important globally rather than individually. 
   
   Dental health I think is next because bad teeth and periodontal disease actually are linked to heart disease and other serious health issues. 
   
   While antibiotics certainly have their place, one could argue they are not as helpful long-term, because over time and with chronic overuse, we have created "super bugs" and resistant strains of bacteria that are killing people with infections now.  it kind of turned into a vicious circle.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I certainly agree about periodontal disease. I tend to feel that many of our most common maladies begin with poor dental hygiene. Thanks ChristinS.

      replyreport
6. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   Soap and water. Because they remove germs, dirt, etc., before/after nearly everything we do. This has helped us to avoid many illnesses & viruses - or at least worse conditions of them.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very true, Kevin!

      replyreport
7. 75

   vily_farposted 9 years ago

   Soap and water, pasteurization and penicilin. These have all brought preventive care and the treatment of previously deadly conditions to a whole new level.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks vily_far!

      replyreport