Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.16.2.3
THE SAINT GEORGE QUARANTINE STATION OF PIRAEUS, GREECE (1865–1947)
Anna Rosenberg
; Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Costas Tsiamis
; Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Effie Poulakou-Rebelakou
; Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Abstract
For centuries, the marine quarantine system was the major protection of the public health
against serious infectious diseases around the world. The present study reconstructs the history
of the Quarantine Station of Piraeus, one of the largest Mediterranean ports, known
as the “Lazaretto of Saint George”, as a vital element in the maritime sanitary protection of
Greece. Our research will investigate the impact left by this institution on public health, as
well as on the economic life of the port of Piraeus and the adjacent capital city of Athens.
With regard to the first issue, we will seek to evaluate its role in relation to major outbreaks in
the capital, as well as the arrival of 1.3 million Greek refugees after the Greco-Turkish War
of 1922. The opening of Suez Canal (1865) was a great challenge and the institution was
problematic at administrative and sanitary levels. During 20th century, the station complied with the national public health legislation and the international sanitary conventions. Until
the Second World War, the Lazaretto of Saint George played a key role in both the protection
of public health in general, but also in the economic and industrial progress of Piraeus and
Athens.
Keywords
Greece; history of medicine; Lazaretto; Piraeus; public Health; quarantine;
Hrčak ID:
216267
URI
Publication date:
29.10.2018.
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