Plague in Ottomans in the 18th century: As case study, the work of Gevrek-zâde Hâfiz Hasan's entitled "Micennetü't-tâ'ûn Ve'l-Vebâ'"

In this study, it has been firstly given the regions where plague that pestered the Ottoman lands until almost the collapse of the empire were seen within the Ottoman borders and the level of the destruction caused in these regions in the 18th century based on archival records and the information contained in the chronicles. Secondly, Micennetü't-Tâ'ûn ve'l-Vebâ ' including the subject of the pestilence and plague written by Chief Physician Gevrekzâde Hâfiz Hasan Efendi who was one of the major physicians lived in the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century has been examined. With this examination, what level of the fight against disease, the treatment methods used and the measures taken in the struggle against disease have been revealed. This research consists of four main parts. In the first chapter, the definition of plague disease, the way of spread, the history and the course of plague in Ottoman geography in the 18th century has been given. In the second chapter, in addition to being researched of Gevrekzâde Hâfız Hasan Efendi's family, the life of the madrasa, the positions he was in, medicine duty, and the honour he received and the works he translated or wrote are also examined and information about these works have been given as well. In the third chapter, the nature, the subject and the treatments in the inside of booklet of called Micennetü't-Tâ'ûn ve'l-Vebâ' written by Gevrekzâde Hâfız Hasan Efendi have been examined and the medications in the booklet and assisted treatment methods have been given. In addition, the names of the persons in the booklet, the sources of the booklet and the drugs used in the treatment of the disease are listed and the general evaluation of the booklet has been made. Finally, in the fourth chapter, the transcription of the booklet has been given just as in text. The general finding of this work within these four headings; plague spread dispersedly in the Ottoman lands throughout the 18th century and that the treatments were not very much developed and similar to the methods used in the middle ages. Keywords: Chief Physician, Gevrekzâde Hafız Hasan, Ottoman, Plague, Micennetü't-Tâ'ûn ve'l-Vebâ'