Özet:

Istanbul was hit by an epidemic that exploded in 1901 and lasted about seven months. Fortunately, it ended without causing too many deaths and damage and was not spread outside of Istanbul as it feared. The measures taken during the epidemic played a major role in this. In addition, Ottoman officials, worried about the spread of the epidemic, immediately took action and tried to bring a specialist doctor on the disease from abroad. As far as it can be detected, three British doctors have been consulted in various times, and one of them has arrived in Istanbul, Dr. Henry William Beach. Dr. Beach, who stayed in Istanbul for about 4 months, was a member of the Hifzü’s-Sihha-i Umûmiye Commission and served in the activities related to the epidemic. The other two British doctors, Dr. Blackmore and Dr. Griffith, who have less knowledge of their rights, have not arrived in Istanbul for a variety of reasons. Although some studies were conducted in connection with the 1901 Istanbul epidemic and the measures taken, there was no extensive and comprehensive study on foreign doctors invited to Istanbul during the epidemic. This article aims to illuminate the doctors mentioned in the light of the archive documents, their activities and the developments that are experienced with them.