Diseases and treatment methods in the 19th century Qajar dynasty in the light of Bohemian traveler Dr. Jakob Eduard Polak’s travelogue

Health, has been one of the most fundamental issues prioritized throughout human history. Various societies, from ancient times to the present day have continued to research and develop methods regarding the functioning of the human body, the origins of diseases, and ways to access treatment. Throughout this process, various societies have interacted with different cultures, drawing on each other’s accumulated knowledge and, when necessary, adapting and supplementing that knowledge. In this regard, the history of health is an important field of study that allows us to understand not only how a society has fought diseases but also the relationships it has established with other civilizations. Within the historical process, the 19th century, in particular, is quite noteworthy as it represents a period of development during which the true causes of many diseases were discovered worldwide, and traditional methods encountered and at times clashed with modern medicine. This study examines the diseases prevalent during the reign of the Qajar Dynasty in Iran a region of great significance in the history of medicine and the era's medical practices. In this context, it explores the interaction between traditional methods and the modern medical initiatives introduced by European doctors who arrived in Iran during the 19th century on various assignments. The main outlines and content of this study are based on the travelogue by the Bohemian Doctor Jakob Eduard Polak, who came to the dynasty’s territories to teach at the Iranian Dar Al-Fonoun and detailed his observations during his years in Iran.