SANITARY AND HYGIENIC MEASURES AT THE FRONT AND IN THE REAR, CARRIED OUT ON THE TERRITORY OF THE MINSK MILITARY DISTRICT IN 1914-1917

Abstract

The article highlights and analyzes sanitary and hygienic measures carried out on the territory of the Minsk Military District at the beginning of the First World War. With the outbreak of war, the number of cases constantly increased, the growth of infectious diseases was especially large. Cholera epidemics were recorded annually. There was a high incidence of typhoid fever and dysentery. There was an increase in the incidence of variola. The spread of diseases was facilitated by huge flows of refugees who were evacuated by whole echelons to the internal provinces of Russia and whose route passed through the territory of the Minsk Military District. The program of anti-epidemiological and preventive measures included concern for the health of soldiers, contentment, and a place to relax. Awareness-raising activities were carried out. However, the measures taken at the beginning of the war turned out to be ineffective due to the lack of a single military medical organization and medicines. The lack of medical staff in the rear and especially at the front, material and human resources, and the inconsistency of actions between departmental structures complicated the implementation of preventive and therapeutic measures to prevent and reduce the spread of morbidity rate. The article is written on the basis of the materials of the Orders of the Minsk Military District Administration at the theatre of war.