The Cholera Epidemic in the Border Territories of the Far East in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

As a rule, the epidemics that took place on the Russian territory in the first quarter of the 20th century were a part of the world epidemics that covered significant territories. Based on the materials of local newspapers, the reaction of the population towards current events and government actions is traced. The abundance of information and the range of periodicals which enable to trace the dynamic development of epidemics, statistics of diseases and public opinion about current events and activities is highlighted. The relevance of the topic is due, among other things, to the appeal to the socio-historical perspective of the problem of the mutual influence of power and society in extreme conditions on the example of the aggravation of epidemiological situation in the Far East during the period under review. Based on the archives introduced into scientific circulation, the management of sanitary affairs, historical aspects of the formation of the sanitary and epidemiological service, the implementation of measures to prevent and combat diseases are studied. The experience of Russian physicians in the fight against epidemics in the border territories is analyzed. From the point of view of the history of science the study of peripheral spaces having economic, cultural, strategic, and political forms is necessary for a historically reliable reconstruction of the policy of both the territory ready for epidemic challenges and the state. It is concluded that the analyzed epidemics have become a catalyst for changes in the concepts and practice of medicine, have changed the role of public health in the border areas. An important role in the fight against infectious diseases in the border territories of the Far East was played by the agitation activities of sanitary and epidemiological services, as well as sanitary, epidemiological and preventive measures.