Treatment organization of disabled veterans with mental illnesses in the post-war years (1945–1950) (based on the materials of the Tambov Psychiatric Hospital)

Abstract

Importance. Studying the treatment features of participants and disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, who were in regional psychiatric hospitals, allows not only to clarify the levels of medical care for such military veterans, but also to evaluate the results of public health organization in the postwar years through the prism of Soviet psychiatry development in the 20th century, as well as the results of medical care for war veterans. A detailed study of the situation of disabled veterans in psychiatric clinics in the post-war period is very useful, which will clarify many little-studied aspects not only of the history of medicine, but also of the development of interpersonal, group, and regional relations in socialist society.Research Methods. The methodological features of the study of the stated problems are based on the author’s concept of involving the works of contemporaries, primarily specialists in the field of psychiatry, practitioners of the Tambov region, as well as the actual case histories and anamnesis of mental illness. Materials from state and party archives of the Tambov region and memoirs of contemporaries were used, many of which were introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.Results and Discussion. In fact, patients of psychiatric hospitals in the post-war period received almost the entire necessary complex of therapeutic and preventive procedures and rehabilitation measures. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the post-war devastation, lack of food, clothing, and a number of medicines seriously complicated the capabilities of medical organizations, which often did not have the necessary resources to fully organize the treatment of war veterans suffering from mental illness. In addition, there are often problems with heating, the supply of necessary equipment and supplies for the psychiatric hospital, which left an imprint on practical health care at the regional level. Nevertheless, Tambov psychiatrists used the full range of medical procedures and medicines available to them, both traditional and new, which gave a tangible therapeutic effect. It is important to note that in the post-war years there is a complete rejection of the elements of “punitive” psychiatry due to the cessation of placing patients in isolation, as well as wet wraps. In addition, the use of intensive treatment methods required coordination with the chief physician.Conclusion. The results of the study of the problem made it possible to assess these processes, viewed through the prism of the development of regional health care, to identify trends in the development of Soviet psychiatry in the first post-war decade. The development of an outpatient network for the provision of medical care to war invalids suffering from mental disorders and diseases is clarified. The assessment of the placement of military veterans in labor unions, enterprises and homes for the disabled is given. It is concluded that, in general, regional psychiatry has shown its capacity and effectiveness in terms of treatment and rehabilitation of military invalids who had mental illnesses.