Chimney sweeps mostly suffer from a cancer called Sot wart.
What Illnesses Did Chimney Sweeps Suffer From?
Chimney sweeps, or more properly chimney sweep apprentices, worked for hard masters in the 18th century who forced them to climb chimneys to sweep them manually. They were put into danger by doing this and many died in accidents, getting trapped in the chimney or burned when someone lit a fire in the fireplace at the base of the chimney.
However, the constant exposure to soot also had its effect. Because chimney sweep apprentices were forced to climb chimneys every day for several hours a day, they were always covered in the soot from the chimneys they were cleaning. This soot came from burning coal fires and contained many dangerous chemicals.
Even early physicians made the connection between being a chimney sweep and have a very high risk of developing cancer of the scrotum. The disease was rife amongst chimney sweeps. They other problem experienced by chimney sweep apprentices was alcoholism – they were rewarded by most households by a pint of ale and many of them became addicted.
However, the constant exposure to soot also had its effect. Because chimney sweep apprentices were forced to climb chimneys every day for several hours a day, they were always covered in the soot from the chimneys they were cleaning. This soot came from burning coal fires and contained many dangerous chemicals.
Even early physicians made the connection between being a chimney sweep and have a very high risk of developing cancer of the scrotum. The disease was rife amongst chimney sweeps. They other problem experienced by chimney sweep apprentices was alcoholism – they were rewarded by most households by a pint of ale and many of them became addicted.