Abstract:

Epidemic diseases have been one of the most important factors affecting states in political, military, social and economic aspects. The most important incident that deeply affected the Ottoman State in the 19th century and engaged the state in health was the spread of syphilis in the form of an epidemic. Syphilis, through innocent and non-innocent ways, took effect far and wide in almost all parts of the Anatolian lands, and the Middle East, Rumelia and the Balkans. The disease, which was spread in an epidemic form was common among children, elderly, men, women, city-dwellers, peasants, prisoners, tradesmen, public and soldiers. Syphilis exercised influenced over a specific province, multiple provinces, only certain districts of provinces or a specific part of a district in the same period or at different times. The state resorted to a number of measures in order to effectively fight against and prevent the spread of syphilis under the difficult conditions of the time. In the first stage, the state sent specialist doctors to and opened hospitals in places where syphilis was seen in a widespread manner. Mobile teams and mobile hospitals were deployed where it was not possible to open hospitals. Additionally, attempts were made to control the disease through the regulations and instructions issued. One of the places where the syphilis epidemic was seen, was the Ahlat District of Bitlis Province. Syphilis was particularly influential in Ahlat in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this period, not only central but also local administrators stepped into find a cure for and prevent the spread of syphilis. However, the measures taken by the state in Ahlat did not serve the purpose, the spread of the disease could not be prevented due to the impossibilities.

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