Abstract:

With the invention of writing, developing communication has encouraged the publication of periodicals such as newspapers and magazines. The invention and widespread use of the printing press has also enhanced the rate of reading and the interest in the news. The periodicals have officially begun to be published in the 17th century. Turkish media has been started with the establishment of printing press in 1727 by İbrahim Müteferrika. Although the first newspaper in the Ottoman Empire has been published by the French minorities, the first Turkish newspaper (Takvim-i Vakayi) has been published in 1831. Vakayi-i Tıbbiye, the first Turkish medical publication, has begun to be published in 1849 and various periodicals have followed it. During the Ottoman period, especially in the 19th century, with the increase in the number of periodicals such as newspapers and journals, people have the chance to follow up the daily and current news, and also health news national and worldwide. Malûmat Newspaper holds an important place in the Ottoman media. It had subscribers not only in Istanbul, but also in Anatolia, other provinces and abroad. It had two franchise owners, Artin Asaduryan and Mehmet Tahir. In the paper, it’s aimed to analyze the health related news at the Malûmat Newspaper and to highlight its importance for the history of medicine. Malûmat Newspaper has 391 numbers published between May 23rd, 1895 – July 2th, 1903. Health related news of the Malûmat Newspaper’s 391 numbers have been analyzed online at National Library of Turkey Periodicals Information System (www.surelimillikutup.org) with the call number 1960 SB 116. Malûmat newspaper has published articles on military, art, science, literature, education etc. also articles on health (medicine, veterinary medicine) excluding political events in its 391 numbers. In addition to the published articles, the newspaper has published photographs on hospitals, diseases and operations with their explanations at the end. Reviewing Malûmat newspaper, along with health related publications of the period, has the importance for achieving information on periodical health knowledge and also health services among the boundaries of Ottoman Empire. In this study, it’s aimed to achieve information on health related news in the Ottoman period and to emphasize its importance in terms of the history of medicine and health.

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