Work

Preventing Epidemics at the Borders: The Public Health Policy of the Greek State (1821–1909)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The paper traces the evolution of the public health measures taken by the Greek state for its protection from the spread of epidemic diseases, particularly plague and cholera, from abroad, and the development of the network of health authorities during the nineteenth century. In the article, use is made for the first time of the whole of the public health legislation of the Greek state during the period 1821-1909 (more than 1,700 laws, decrees, and circulars) on its protection from the spread of epidemic diseases. In contrast with the meagre accounts in the international bibliography, which represents the public health policy of the Greek state as having been fixed, unchanging, and centred simply on the use of quarantine as a protective measure, this study draws attention to the active, constantly changing, and dynamic policy which was followed during the nineteenth century.

Source: Social History of Medicine

DOI: 10.1093/shm/hkaf036

Authors: Yannis Gonatidis, Maria Pappa, Leda Papastefanaki

Institutions: University of Crete, FORTH Institute of Mediterranean Studies, University of Ioannina

Language: English

Topic: History of Medicine and Tropical Health

Subfield: History

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,864