Ήπειρος : υγεία, νοσηρότητα και περίθαλψη κατά τον τελευταίο αιώνα της Τουρκοκρατίας

Abstract

The nineteenth century was a crucial period for Epirus, which was just
beginning to observe what was happening in Europe in the sphere of health care.
The frequent widespread epidemics that were striking the region increased official
and public awareness and led to the introduction of unprecedented measures, such
as the setting up of quarantine stations and health boards and the establishment of
public health clinics and school doctors. The morbidity rate was considerably
reduced as formally trained doctors appeared on the scene and gradually took
over. Research has shown that 449 empirical and formally trained doctors
practised their profession in Epirus in the nineteenth century, some of them also
working as municipal, communal, or hospital doctors. Most of them were Greeks
-Christians and Jews- though the number of Turks and Albanians was far from
negligible. It was at this time that the first formally trained dentists appeared too,
and legislation provided for pharmacies to be operated by formally trained
pharmacists. A total of forty-eight empirical and formally trained pharmacists
have been found in the sources. Although secondary medical care had appeared in
the eighteenth century, it was systematically practised only in the nineteenth.
Three civil hospitals were operating in Ioannina, one in Metsovo, and a lunatic asylum at the Church of St John of Bounila, outside Ioannina; and Turkish and
Greek military hospitals were also set up, permanently or temporarily, in a
number of Epirot towns. Health care in Epirus was obviously being modernised
in the nineteenth century. This was substantially due to the predominant Greek
presence and the benevolence for which the Epirots are famed.