Designed to prevent or counteract miasma, the foul-smelling air believed in the 19th century to cause disease.
From anti- (against) + miasmatic (from Greek miasma 'pollution' or 'bad air'). Used in historical medical contexts before germ theory replaced miasma theory.
Victorian doctors prescribed antimiasmatic measures like opening windows and burning perfumes—they were wrong about why it worked, but fresh air actually DID help prevent disease!
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