TNT History Archives: Syphilis Spread & Ottoman Countermeasures (1884)

//Ed. note: Herewith yet another example of Ottoman 
efforts to deal with an infectious disease spreading 
throughout its dominions.  

Controlling Pilgrim Infections click here for the first part
of a recent four-part TNT series about Ottoman measures
to handle quarantines for pilgrims heading for Mecca in
1901.// 




Preventing the Spread of Syphilis

The harmful malady 'frengi' (syphilis) is spreading in most of the areas
of the Imperial Ottoman Dominions.  In fact, according to information
from the government's health organizations, in some places the number
of men and women affected by it is increasing, reaching levels of
around 20-30% along the coasts. 

Because of the detrimental effect of the syphilis malady, such as ruining
and vexing procreation, certain provinces have increased focus on the
disease and, thanks to the Sultan, syphilis hospitals have been opened
in Kastamonu and İnebolu.

The matter of the necessary precautions is being discussed in Istanbul
but as long as the local authorities do not take the requisite health
measures where they are needed, then there will not be a favorable
result.  Consequently, the required measures must be taken everywhere.

Therefore, the situation in the provinces must be discerned, although
every province or subdivision does not yet have doctors from the
Imperial Medical School.  Nevertheless, as the number of people
afflicted with syphilis increases, the proportion of them to the rest of
the local population must be determined, along with an understanding
of where this malady has come from and how it is spread.



Local authorities and doctors must investigate the spread of syphilis
in their locations and either open hospitals or fund itinerant doctors
and pharmacists to tour the countryside and gather information.  The
results of these local investigations should be sent to the Health Ministry
as soon as possible.

The Health Ministry has informed and warned all provinces and
subdivisions about this malady and its detrimental effects. In addition,
the Ministry has emphasized the need for efforts to stem the spread of
syphilis and conduct the requisite investigations.  As mentioned above,
the information collected should be sent directly to the Ministry.

Date 5 Safer year 1302  Date 11 October year 1300 (1884)

Kastamonu Province (pink, in center).  İnebolu is the 

province's Black Sea port.