Industrialization not only changed the face of Western society—it also made people sick. Overcrowded cities, harsh working conditions, and newfound mobility all conspired to imperil public health. In this program, host Dan Cruickshank traces the developments in medicine that took place during—and were often inspired by—the Industrial Revolution. Pioneering Englishmen such as William Withering, Steven Hale, Edward Jenner, and James Lind transformed folk remedies into potent medicines, invented ventilation systems to combat the spread of disease, created a smallpox vaccine, and instituted what is now known as the clinical trial. Produced by the Open University. (30 minutes)