He explains that like a combination lock, there are many factors that must come together for such a revolution. For an industrial revolution to occur there must first exist the technology for it, then the power to drive the factories, large urban populations to provide the cheap labor, a good transportation mechanism, a customer base who can and will buy mass-produced goods and services, a market-driven economy and a political system that allows this to happen.
In the 18th century, at the time of the industrial revolution, all these factors prevailed in England. Then, why did the industrial revolution did not occur earlier? When checking the statistics immediately before the 18th century, it was found that the population growth between the periods, 1650 to 1740 was static. Then from onwards 1740 a sudden burst in the population growth occurred – almost as if in time for the industrial revolution. Professor Macfarlane found that this was because the infant mortality rate halved in both rural and city areas and across all classes in a short time span of just 20 years.
Investigating further into the causes of this sudden drop in infant mortality, he considered if there was also a decrease in viruses and bacteria at the time. He did not find any evidence to support this theory. Then he considered if there was a revolution in medical science. However, this was before the Listers revolution, so again, this seemed the unlikely cause. Perhaps the environmental conditions changed, he thought. While there were improvements in agriculture that wiped out malaria, the effects were too insignificant to be considered as a likely cause. The only option now left for him to consider was nutrition. Yet, around this period, nutrition had actually got worse. He could not fathom the reasons for this drastic reduction in infant mortality.
Another factor bewildered Professor Macfarlane; during an industrial revolution, it is economically efficient to have people crowding together. However, then contamination increases and with contamination waterborne diseases spread rapidly. It is important to remember that at the time of the industrial revolution, England was not particular about its sanitation habits.
Searching for answers, Professor Macfarlane looked into other countries that were also developing large cities at this time. Japan caught his interest. In Japan also there were no proper sanitation, but still had a good control of its waterborne diseases – even in the most densely populated areas. It was then Professor Macfarlane realized that his answer lay no further than his kitchen cupboard.
Tea – the common beverage enjoyed by all in England and Japan. For tea, water has to be first boiled and then tea itself contained antiseptic properties of tannin, which especially help purify the stomach. This, Professor Macfarlane deduced help produce breast-milk that was healthier than it had ever been before. No other European country took to tea like the British. This, therefore, by Professor Macfarlane’s theory, pushed them out of the revolution. The distinguished medical historian, Roy Porter also agrees with this theory.
However, if tea was the missing piece of the puzzle for an industrial revolution, then why did Japan too not experience an industrial revolution? Tea is definitely much more integrated into the Japanese culture than it is with the British.
The answer to this lies in the Japanese culture replies Professor Macfarlane. Incredibly, the most technologically advanced civilization of the 20th and 21st centuries was very much reluctant to use labor-saving devices in the 18th and 19th centuries as they did not want to put people out of work. Yet, the Professor notes that whilst England was undergoing an industrial revolution, Japan was experiencing an industrious revolution and all this the Professor credits to a cup of tea!
Read the next in series, Sri Lankan Teas Introduced |
