Final answer:
The first International Sanitary Conference in 1851 focused on public health and sanitation to prevent diseases like cholera, with significant figures advocating for clean water and handwashing as preventative measures. The exact number of attendees is not specified, but the conference was key in shaping modern epidemiology and health policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first International Sanitary Conference in 1851 in Paris brought together representatives from various countries to address public health issues, particularly the global threat of cholera. While the specific number of countries and doctors present is not detailed in the resources provided, it is known that these conferences were pivotal in combating infectious diseases. The primary topics covered included the understanding of disease as related to sanitation, and the policies that could be implemented to improve public health and prevent the spread of epidemics.
Important historical figures like John Snow and Ignaz Semmelweis played significant roles in this era by demonstrating the importance of clean water and handwashing, respectively, in the prevention of diseases like cholera and puerperal fever. The conference marked a crucial step in international collaboration to manage health crises, solidifying the foundations of epidemiology and public health policies.