Деятельность Российского общества Красного Креста в Туруханском крае в первой трети ХХ века

Abstract

Economic development of the territory of the Turukhansk region of the Yenisei province at the beginning of the ХХ century led to the penetration of infectious diseases (smallpox, typhus, measles) into the environment of the indigenous population. The «diseases of civilization» devastated their settlements. Decisive measures were required to prevent extinction. The state health care system, represented by one doctor and three paramedics, could not have a significant impact on the territory of 1.6 million square miles. Because of this, the Russian Red Cross Society came to the rescue, which for three years sent medical teams to help the population of the tundra. The First World War and the Civil War interrupted the activities of medical teams. In 1924-1931 work continued, but on a more rational basis. Medical teams not only treated, but also examined the living conditions of the indigenous population of the Turukhansk region. Among the unfavorable factors were identified: lack of underwear, lack of changeable clothes, the presence of parasites, rare washing of the body, eating raw meat and fish, massive smoking of tobacco, the presence of «sexual promiscuity» in the premarital period, living in primitive portable plagues, heated fire. At the same time, information was collected on the most common diseases and their causes. It turned out that sexually transmitted diseases were not widespread. But trachoma, tuberculosis and skin diseases were constant companions of the indigenous population of the Turukhansk region. This information allowed the Soviet public health services to develop an algorithm for the operation of medical institutions in the northern territories, as well as to change the living conditions of life, which made it possible in the future to avoid a strong development of epidemics.