Medizinische Versorgung und Krankenpflege in Grazer Straf- und Zwangsanstalten von 1750 bis 1850

Abstract

Medical care in correctional facilities and penitentiaries has always been of particular importance, for various reasons: Maintaining the health of the inmates was not only an act of kindness, but also necessary to prevent epidemics and disease. After all, this was a precondition for the utilization of their labour. However, there were several complaints about shortcomings in medical care, particularly during the 18th century. Especially the sickroom equipment was in dire need of improvement and there were no notable positive developments in this area until the middle of the 19th century, due to the extremely limited space in all of the institutions in Graz. However, the care provided by medical staff was significantly better. Although it occurred that doctors and surgeons were apathetic and negligent, the inmates regularly received relatively good treatment. The Styrian rural population as well as the urban lower class of the (Early) Modern Period had few if any possibilities to be inspected by professionals, and therefore often turned to so-called quack doctors. Medical advice was expensive, just like the cost of medication. Although it was generally claimed that only low-cost remedies were used for convicts and other inmates in the 18th century, the expenditures for individuals sometimes exceeded what they were able to earn in an entire year. These aspects illustrate that inmates were not „second-class patients“, but even enjoyed advantages they would not have had as members of the lower rural or urban lower class outside of the institution. On the other hand the inmates had an increased risk of becoming ill because of the poor living conditions in the penal institutions.