European Diseases and Conditions of the 18th Century
A Bill of Mortality (left-morbidanatomy.blogspot.com) was published weekly to show the common occurrence of death during the 18th century. Unfortunately, death was all too common during this time period. Disease ran rampant while sanitation, disinfection, and cleanliness were not an integral part of life until much later in the century. The streets were filled with the filth from empty chamber pots as were the waters that were used for drinking. Living during this time ensured a life of sickness, discomfort, poor living conditions, and starvation. It would take another century before advacements in technology would afford the people of the time truly affective medical care.
Above is an example of obstetrical instruments used during childbirth in 18th century Europe. Without sterilizing these, the infection, particularly puerperal fever ran rampant (bridgemanart.com).
Thanks to the eventual involvement in disinfection and other sanitary practices that took place later in the century, much of the infection and disease this era had known began to diminish greatly. With the determination, and unfortunate failings of the physicians of this time, much was learned and life was made better for all.