Health system of Kastamonu province in the 19th century and problems encountered

Since the middle of the 18th century, Europe has entered the era of modernization, especially with the industrial revolution. It was only in the 19th century that the Ottoman Empire began to adopt the modernization movements in Europe. In this century, with the Ottoman Empire turning its direction to the west, the modernization in Europe started to make itself felt in the Ottoman Empire as well. With the modernization, fundamental changes occurred primarily in the traditional state organization of the Ottoman Empire. In addition to this, innovations that positively affect social life in the socio-cultural field began to enter the Ottoman lands. This innovation movement has shown its effect in the field of health as well as in many areas such as bureaucracy, law and education. In this period, health institutions such as Mekteb-i Tıbbiye, hospitals, quarantines and quarantine councils were established and a modern health system was created. Thus, the Ottoman Empire had more effective tools and methods to solve the health problems of its society compared to the past. The modernization experienced in the field of health in the 19th century started from the central provinces of the Ottoman Empire and reflected to the provincial provinces. Accordingly, many developments occurred in the field of health in the 19th century in Kastamonu province, which was one of the provincial provinces of the Ottoman Empire. From this point of view, the developments and modernization of the Ottoman Empire in the field of health in the 19th century, the actions of the state in the field of health and their reflections on the society will be examined in the province of Kastamonu as a micro example. In the 19th century -especially in the second half- infectious diseases that caused epidemics occupied the health agenda of Kastamonu province. In this century, syphilis and cholera were the most common diseases seen among the people of Kastamonu province. These diseases were on the agenda of the people of Kastamonu province for a long time in the 19th century. Apart from these, diseases such as smallpox, typhoid fever and leprosy are not very common, but are among the other diseases seen among the population. The Ottoman Empire built hospitals in many parts of Kastamonu province in the last quarter of the 19th century to combat these diseases. These hospitals were established under the name of Syphilis and Gureba Hospital. Considering that the hospitals were established for a certain disease, it is possible to talk about the existence of some kind of specialized hospitals in the mentioned period. In addition, the state sent many health officers to Kastamonu province, both permanently and on a mobile basis. Permanent health officials were employed in hospitals or in the municipal organizations of the districts. On the other hand, mobile health officers were sent to work in places where it was deemed necessary in cases where there were no permanent health officials or they could not catch up with the patients. In order to prevent the spread of the above-mentioned diseases among the people, when necessary, quarantine practices were implemented, various laws were enacted and punishments were given to those who did not comply. In the 19th century, there were also problems with health workers in Kastamonu province. If the people complained about a health worker, they could express their complaints by applying to the necessary institutions. In such a case, the state took the necessary actions after conducting an investigation. This micro-example specific to Kastamonu province should be considered as an integral part of the whole in terms of showing us the macro developments in the field of health in the Ottoman Empire.