Zwalczanie chorób wenerycznych występujących w pierwszych latach powojennych wśród żołnierzy WP na podstawie publikacji zamieszczonych w „Lekarzu Wojskowym”

Abstract

Combating venereal diseases occurring in the first post-war years among Polish Army soldiers on the basis on publications in “Military Physician” The article discusses issues related to combating venereal diseases among Polish Army soldiers in the last months of World War II and in the first post-war years, based on the bibliography of “Military Physician” from the discussed period. In January 1945 publishing of the magazine addressed to military doctors was resumed and aimed to inform about the developments of the military health service, promotion of new medical achievements and theories on their practical use. One of the serious problems discussed in the journal were venereal diseases, which recorded an epidemic increase in incidence, especially syphilis. A systematic, planned action to combat these diseases was already carried out in the 2nd Army of the Polish Army, where venereology ranked second among medical specialties. In the post-war period, the fight against the epidemic was undertaken by the Ministry of Health on a national scale. Legal regulations were introduced, appropriate laboratory, diagnostic and treatment facilities were prepared, effective drugs were used, including penicillin. One of the forms of infection prevention was the implementation of serological tests among the population, detection of sources of infection and conducting a wide propaganda campaign. The military health service worked closely with state authorities. The actions taken turned out to be beneficial and already in 1948 a clear decrease in the incidence of venereal diseases was observed.