Module Two: The Nature of Science, continued Page 2.1.4 The Ghost Map: The most influential miasmatist SHORT-ANSWER QUESTION What flaw in Florence Nightingale’s reasoning regarding the air test might explain why miasma was often considered correct? According to the miasma hypothesis, theories such as contagion could be explained. For example, someone with a sickness might be the source of the miasma that spread to other people. Posted 28 days ago. Reference Answer Theories like contagion could be described using miasma theory. For instance, if someone were sick with a disease, they may be the source of the miasma that infected other people. MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION According to the text about prevailing scientific theories regarding air quality and disease, what would scientists like Florence Nightingale most likely believe to be true? People who are more regularly exposed to unclean air, like the sewer hunters, are more likely to develop an immunity to miasmas. People regularly exposed to air deemed “foul” should be more likely to be sick than those who are exposed to air deemed clean. There are tiny particles that humans can’t see that cause disease to be spread. Air quality should have no effect on who gets ill or what diseases are being spread. Correct. Miasma theory would predict that people exposed to bad air are more likely to get sick.
