AMHA - Acta medico-historica Adriatica

JOURNAL AMHA – ACTA MEDICO‐HISTORICA ADRIATICA

Igor Eterović — 2023-07-18

In this paper, the first 20 years of publication of the scientific journal AMHA – Acta medi‐ co‐historica Adriatica (2002–2022) are presented and analysed. This journal has undo- ubtedly become and remained the central activity of the Croatian Scientific Society for the History of Health Culture, which has rapidly evolved into a globally esteemed journal in the history of medicine. The beginning and the context of publishing the journal with reference to the scientific conference “Rijeka and Its Citizens in Medical History” are presented, as well as the journal’s profiling into a distinguished international scientific journal, co-publishing with the Faculty of Medicine (University of Rijeka) and its fast development in the later ye- ars. The analysis shows the growth of the journal’s visibility through indexation in different international journal databases, the number and ratio of scientific articles and the variety of published material. Finally, a review of the potential future directions of development and the significance of this journal within the national, regional and international context is given.

TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS IN THE 17th CENTURY BASED ON THE ORIGINAL WORK DE PHTHISI (ON TUBERCULOSIS) FROM 1679

Nora Malinovská — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.1

Galen was the first who defined phthisis as lung ulceration, accompanied by coughing, persi- stent low-grade fevers, and body wasting. Attempts to define tuberculosis and find the cause of the disease belong to significant errors in the period of medical theories about tuberculosis (TB). Even in the 17th century, the most common causes of this disease were pulmonary ul- cers, incorrect shape and position of the lungs, or menstruation. This article endeavors to elucidate the history of TB and its therapy in the 17th century on the basis of the Latin inau- gural academic disputation De phthisi (On Tuberculosis) from 1679, which was first transla- ted into Slovak in 2021. It was written by Matthaeus Palumbini, a Hungarian physician of Slovak origin born in Turiec County (Comitatus Thurociensis) in the Kingdom of Hungary. Although this dissertation is due to the anatomical, physiological, and clinical views of the Early Modern period, the ideas about the disease inhalation route as well as the fact that the disease transmission happens indirectly through the air, are close to existing knowledge. Similarly, the TB classification, the description of indications, climatic treatment, or principles of healthy lifestyle surprisingly correlate with the current medical practice. The article is supplemented by examples of the period of drug prescriptions that constituted a part of the therapy. The archival source of the original text comes from the Digitale Sammlungen der Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg.

MEDICAL ISSUES AND PEOPLE IN VIEW OF THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY LATIN WORKS PUBLISHED IN KRAKÓW

Michał Czerenkiewicz — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.2

This paper investigates the Latin works dealing with medicine and physicians, published in seventeenth-century Kraków. The main purpose of the research is to present the leading persons of academic medicine working in those times in this city and to follow through the se- lected works, which constitute a part of Neo-Latin literature in the Polish-Lithuanian Com- monwealth. The scholastic way of the discourse did not always mean overuse of the authori- ties, however both ancient and modern were being evoked. By presenting the segment of the medical milieu of seventeenth-century Kraków, namely those academics who published their works there, the author claims that sometimes the neglected Latin editorial production of the Cracovian printing shops is an important part not only for the history of the development of medicine in this region of Europe but also for the cultural heritage of the state’s community. Although the Latin language might enable the broader extent of these medical works, most of them were addressed to a particular scientific public. The essay shows that many medical doctors were known for their activities in various fields, such as poetry and city management, and that the panegyrical works may serve as one of the sources of recognition of their biograp- hies and medical output as well.

PALEORADIOLOGICAL STUDY ON TWO INFANTS DATED TO THE 17th AND 18th CENTURIES

Gabriele Sernesi — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.3

During an excavation campaign in the Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul in Roccapelago (North Italy), a hidden crypt was discovered, which yielded the remains of more than 400 individuals. The crypt was used as a cemetery by the inhabitants of the village of Roccapelago between the 16th and 18th centuries. Along the north side of the crypt, an area apparently separated from the rest of the burials was found, bordered by stones, where several burials of newborns and infants were concentrated. From here, five fabric rolls containing bones were recovered, and it was decided not to carry out destructive analyses, allocating the two best examples to a thorough radiological investigation to try to define the type of burial and the complete biological profile of the infant. The two rolls, subjects of this study, can be dated archaeologically between the 17th and 18th centuries. CT analysis shows a varied group of bones with a fairly good state of conservation. The paleoradiological study carried out had the primary objective of avoiding the destruction of the two rolls, ensuring their conservation; but at the same time, providing essential data to understand their nature, defining the biological profile and the type of deposition.

THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE FIRST CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC AND ITS ROLE IN COMBATING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR (THE 1920s)

Andrej Tóth — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.4

A complex epidemiological situation marked the health system at the time of the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic. Reducing the number of infectious diseases was an essential task of the State Administration of Health. It required new legislation and various steps directed at reducing infectious diseases. Serious infectious diseases, such as scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid, dysentery, smallpox, and malaria, were among the most significant health problems in Czechoslovakia. In 1920, Act No. 412 Coll. regarding compulsory smallpox vaccination was issued, as well as government Regulation No. 298, which describes vaccination obligations and stipulated proper isolation of patients with infectious diseases. Other steps that led to improvements included establishing the National Institute of Health and mobile disinfectant units. Conclusion: The systematic development of new legislation contributed to the new Republic’s proficiency at the task and the gradual reduction in the number of infectious diseases.

HEALTH REFORM INITIATIVES IN THE INTERWAR ERA

Gavriil Kouris — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.5

During the Interwar period (1918–1939), financial aid and technical assistance were given to countries worldwide by the League of Nations Health Organisation (LNHO) in an attempt to reform public health systems, address population health problems, and control infectious diseases. Greece was one of the countries that received this aid, and in 1928 cooperation with the LNHO was initiated. The aim of this alliance was an integrated health reform plan en- titled “Collaboration with the Greek government for the sanitary reorganization of Greece” and had a dual purpose: a) the reorganisation of the health services and b) the establishment of a unified public health system that provided comprehensive healthcare for all citizens.

The current article discusses the collaboration between Greece and the LNHO and their endeavour to reorganise the health system during the Interwar period. More specifically, it investigates the significant legislative and policy initiatives and their impact on the health system’s evolution. In addition, it aims to explore the factors that affected the outcome of LNHO’s reform plan. It is also argued that the proposed health reform plan was not fully implemented due to intense political and social conflicts that resulted from the institutional measures taken to address public health problems as well as financial and technical con- straints.

ANDRIJA ŠTAMPAR AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERIM COMMISSION OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Alen Ružić — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.6

This paper provides an analysis of Andrija Štampar’s activities after World War II on the establishment of effective international health. Analyzed archival materials have confir- med with numerous evidence that Štampar as the president of the Interim Commission of the World Health Organization (WHO) played a crucial role in the establishment of the ideological starting points and organization of the WHO system, which remain relevant to date. Apart from the strategic foundations, it has been shown that his principles regarding the need for practical action based on the best professional knowledge and experience have no alternatives. The above is presented in the paper with the details of Štampar’s activities during the cholera epidemic in Egypt and associated with the experiences of the recent global crisis caused by the COVID pandemic.

THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE FIRST CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC AND ITS ROLE IN COMBATING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR (THE 1920s)

Elżbieta Tabor — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.7

A complex epidemiological situation marked the health system at the time of the establi- shment of the Czechoslovak Republic. Reducing the number of infectious diseases was an essential task of the State Administration of Health. It required new legislation and various steps directed at reducing infectious diseases. Serious infectious diseases, such as scarlet fe- ver, diphtheria, typhoid, dysentery, smallpox, and malaria, were among the most significant health problems in Czechoslovakia. In 1920, Act No. 412 Coll. regarding compulsory small- pox vaccination was issued, as well as government Regulation No. 298, which describes vaccination obligations and stipulated proper isolation of patients with infectious diseases. Other steps that led to improvements included establishing the National Institute of Health and mobile disinfectant units. Conclusion: The systematic development of new legislation contributed to the new Republic’s proficiency at the task and the gradual reduction in the number of infectious diseases.

NARODNA MEDICINA U LIJEČENJU OČNIH BOLESTI U DALMACIJI U 19. STOLJEĆU

Milan Ivanišević — 2023-07-18

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.8

Narodna ili pučka medicina tradicionalna je medicinska praksa u općoj populaciji, posebno ruralnoj. U narodnoj medicini koristili su se biljni lijekovi, kao i ljudske i životinjske supstan- cije te minerali. U liječenju očnih bolesti najčešće su se upotrebljavali lijekovi biljnog podri- jetla – kamilica, vidac i rosopas, zatim lijekovi ljudskog i životinjskog podrijetla – majčino mlijeko, slina, med, životinjska žuč, a od minerala bakreni sulfat. Malo je literature koja govori o narodnom liječenju očnih bolesti. Cilj je ovog rada prikazati kako su se u narodnoj medicini liječile očne bolesti u Dalmaciji u 19. stoljeću. Nastojalo se objasniti i razloge takva empirijskog liječenja koje se prenosilo s koljena na koljeno. Krajem 19., a osobito početkom 20. stoljeća u Dalmaciji, ali i u cijeloj Hrvatskoj, najprije u velikim gradovima, razvila se moderna i znanstvena oftalmologija. Tako je postupno narodna medicina u liječenju očnih bolesti sve više padala u zaborav.

Sally A. Hoedel, Destined to Die Young

Maria Fagiolo — 2023-07-18

Book review