Forty Eight Years in Ottoman Service: General Inspector of Quarantines Dr Bartoletti Efendi and His Activities (1840-1888)

Abstract

Foreign experts began to be employed in the Ottoman Empire from the 18th century onwards, and one of these areas of employment was the field of medicine. In the face of the 19th century’s global epidemics, the reforms implemented by the Ottoman Empire in the fight against diseases not only necessitated international co-operation, but also caused more foreign physicians to enter the service of Ottoman medicine. Thus, many foreign physicians started to serve from the central health organisation in Istanbul to the quarantine units scattered throughout the provinces. Some physicians made significant contributions to the Ottoman sanitary administration through their positions, time in Ottoman service, and activities. Dr Bartoletti, who was born in Istanbul in 1808, was one of these specialists. After his medical education in Europe, he started his Ottoman service as a quarantine doctor and became a member of the Sanitary Council. He also represented the Ottoman Empire at the international medical conferences held in Paris, Istanbul and Vienna and performed important duties in Ottoman sanitary affairs during his forty-four years of service.