Social Reforms There are many – but they are some of the most fun to discuss!
Original caption: Typical dressing room in an American meat-packing house. This industry first developed conveying- belt methods.
SOCIAL REFORMS The idea that the g overnment’s powers get expanded, so it could become 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) 969/resource/?sid=9603b786d829c a0c2a7c126ed 969/resource/?sid=9603b786d829c a0c2a7c126ed
Splitting backbones and final inspection - hogs ready for cooler, Swift & Co., Chicago 461/resource/cph.3b03613/?sid=cb1cb50 1d5a51ad4a35b521de283279f 461/resource/cph.3b03613/?sid=cb1cb50 1d5a51ad4a35b521de283279f
Unhairing machine at work 6/resource/?sid= cf c08101b4b /resource/?sid= cf c08101b4b608
Chicago - Meat Packing Industry - Swift's Packing House: automatic scraping machine (capacity 1000 hogs per hour) /resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7 b82d3d51f1f2121e5b76d /resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7 b82d3d51f1f2121e5b76d9
Chicago - Meat Packing Industry - Swift & Co.'s Packing House: great soup kettles - capacity 350,000 lbs. each 962/resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7b82d3d51 f1f2121e5b76d /resource/?sid=eb7764f5e7b82d3d51 f1f2121e5b76d9
Result: Meat Inspection Act of 1906 All animals were required to pass an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to slaughter All animals were required to pass an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prior to slaughter All carcasses were subject to a post- mortem inspection All carcasses were subject to a post- mortem inspection Cleanliness standards were established for slaughterhouses and processing plants. Cleanliness standards were established for slaughterhouses and processing plants.
Postmortem inspection, Source: Library of Congress ml ml Check this out!
Social Reform #2 Safer Medicines –Restrict Harmful Drugs –Proper Labeling –Government Approval of Future Drugs/Medicines
Patent 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.ingredients.
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: Pure Food and Drug Act of ) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created and responsible for testing all foods and drugs planned for human use 2) Prescriptions required from licensed physicians for certain drugs 3) Warning labels required on habit- forming drugs