THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE FIRST CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC AND ITS ROLE IN COMBATING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR (THE 1920s)

Authors

  • Andrej Tóth Faculty of International Relations, Department of International and Diplomatic Studies, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3203-7716
  • Inka Kratochvílová Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3301-0374
  • Lukáš Novotný Department of Historical Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1874-7754
  • Jakub Drábek Department of Economic History, Faculty of Economics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7083-6781
  • Věra Hellerová Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8409-585X
  • Martin Červený Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5612-158X
  • Valérie Tóthová Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7119-8419

Keywords:

First Czechoslovak Republic, infectious diseases, medical facilities, laws and government regulations

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.21.1.4

A complex epidemiological situation marked the health system at the time of the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic. Reducing the number of infectious diseases was an essential task of the State Administration of Health. It required new legislation and various steps directed at reducing infectious diseases. Serious infectious diseases, such as scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid, dysentery, smallpox, and malaria, were among the most significant health problems in Czechoslovakia. In 1920, Act No. 412 Coll. regarding compulsory smallpox vaccination was issued, as well as government Regulation No. 298, which describes vaccination obligations and stipulated proper isolation of patients with infectious diseases. Other steps that led to improvements included establishing the National Institute of Health and mobile disinfectant units. Conclusion: The systematic development of new legislation contributed to the new Republic’s proficiency at the task and the gradual reduction in the number of infectious diseases.

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Published

2023-09-07

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2023): AMHA – Acta medico-historica Adriatica

Section

Original scientific paper