Leprosy in Eastern Siberia in the 19th — early 20th centuries: theories of occurrence, prevalence and elements of quarantine measures

Abstract

The article discusses the views of doctors of the 19th early 20th centuries on the causes of leprosy, presents the main etiological theories of their consistency and relationship with the climate and the populations life characteristics of the north-eastern Siberia. On the basis of modern research and literary sources of the 19th century, the probable ways of introducing leprosy to Eastern Siberia, on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and the territorial distribution of infection foci are shown. The attitude of foreigners to those infected with leprosy, based on the fear of being infected, is revealed. The purpose of the work is to study the facts indicating the prevalence of leprosy in Eastern Siberia in the 19th early 20th centuries. As part of the study, a content analysis of the source base, indicating the incidence of leprosy in the population of the northeastern districts of Siberia, was used. The work is based on the study of primary sources on the topic for the period 18401929, materials from the State Archives of the Irkutsk Region, as well as literary sources of the 19th early 20th centuries. Data showing the incidence of leprosy in the districts of the Irkutsk General Government are provided.