Austria Sen Jorj Hospital, which has been serving since the end of the 19th century in Galata, the symbol of Istanbul, was closed quietly. During the cholera epidemic, which was influential in Istanbul between 1863-1879, the hospital was influenced in the suppression of the epidemic of the hospital. Over the following years, the efforts of the hospital, which also opened children and eye clinics, also contributed to the establishment of a disciplined health organization in Istanbul. The Ottoman, Austria and French archives shed light on Istanbul’s struggle against cholera epidemic.
Epidemic in Istanbul
He followed his sea and land routes until he reached Istanbul, which spreads from India to the world. Although measures were taken on the Red Sea and Suez Canal, these routes used by pilgrims were effective in the transport of the disease to the West. According to historical records, centers such as Aleppo and Baghdad before Istanbul were influenced by cholera epidemic.
They gathered in Istanbul
Historical records show that inadequate infrastructure increases the speed of the outbreak in the Ottoman Empire, especially in the Ottoman Empire, especially in big cities such as Istanbul. According to historian Sinan Kunaralp’s researches, the cholera epidemic has ravaged both the Ottoman lands and many cities in Europe; At the beginning of 1866, the World Health Conference was held in Istanbul. At the conference, it was decided to increase the quarantine measures in order to prevent the exit point of the outbreak and to prevent it. When it was noticed that cholera was not seen outside the pilgrimage season, it was understood that the leaving the sacrificial residues exposed during the pilgrimage triggered the outbreak.. The garbage was cleaned to combat epidemics, a separate facility was built for the victims, and the release of sacrificial residues were banned from water resources.
The number of dead exceeded 5 thousand
In Istanbul, the epidemic began in 1865 in mid -July, while the epidemic reached the capital over Alexandria and Egypt. It was found that the cholera, which was effective in Istanbul, was contaminated by 11 thousand 631 people and 5 thousand 73 of these cases resulted in death.
The idea of a municipality has occurred
According to historical records, the cholera epidemic had an impact on both customs and municipal activities. In an article where cholera outbreaks were examined in the Ottoman Journal of Ottoman Civilization Studies, this situation is explained as follows: “It was not possible to limit human interaction despite all the measures taken by the Ottoman Empire during the 1865 outbreak of the Ottoman Empire. Indeed, commercial life and social life continued to complete each other. It was understood that the disease should be struggled not only during epidemics but also before the epidemic. The emergence of the municipal institution, especially in Istanbul, has been effective. Providing the infrastructure services among the duties of the municipalities and making it institutional has opened the way to the disappearance of the outbreaks. “
Dirty water and food is transmitted
How did cholera spread?
Kolera is known as an infectious disease that is often transmitted by dirty water and food, caused by bacteria “Vibrio Cholerae”. Cholera appears with symptoms such as severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration in the body. Symptoms, rapid fluid loss and the body’s shock, while treatment is not treated, death is inevitable. Cholera is usually more common in areas where hygiene conditions are poor.
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