The methods of fighting smallpox epidemic and smallpox disease in the Ottoman during the century XIX

Smallpox disease that deeply affected the states and societies for centuries emerged in many locations of the Ottoman State during the century XIX. The invention of the modern vaccine and the vaccination efforts carried out by the state has relatively brought this illness under control, but the Ottoman fell behind the Europe in fighting smallpox disease. Failure to closely follow technology was criticized by some administrators. On the other hand, despite of the efforts of the administrators, people often failed to comply with regulations and, preferred to cure the disease with traditional methods. This thesis will first mention the characteristic and history of smallpox disease, the variolation procedure applied for centuries in many locations of the world, and the production of the smallpox vaccine in the Ottoman State upon the discovery of the modern vaccine and, then discuss smallpox epidemics experienced in the Ottoman State during the century XIX and, the combat cautiously carried out by the state against smallpox disease. During the preparation of this thesis, we have made use of various written and visual resources particularly the Ottoman archive resources in an attempt to clarify a subject not previously studied and, provide assistance to the subsequent research on the history of medicine.