The Royal Hamadryad Hospital was established because seamen were bringing contagious diseases to Cardiff.

• A. It was set up because seamen were bringing contagious diseases to Cardiff
• B. It was built to house sailors' families
• C. It replaced an older hospital in the dockyard
• D. It was created to treat only civilians

Answer: (A)

The situation tests understanding of why port towns created hospitals in response to infectious diseases carried by sailors. When ships arrive, crews can bring illnesses ashore, so authorities set up facilities to diagnose, isolate, and treat contagious diseases to stop outbreaks from spreading to the wider population. That’s why the statement about seamen bringing contagious diseases to Cardiff best explains the hospital’s establishment: it reflects a public health response aimed at managing infections linked to maritime workers. The other options don’t fit that motive—there’s no suggestion the hospital’s purpose was to house families, to replace an older dockyard hospital, or to treat only civilians.