Zdrowie publiczne na ziemiach polskich pod zaborem pruskim w rejencji bydgoskiej

Public Health on the Polish Territories under Prussian Rule

illustrated by the case of Bydgoszcz District

As a result of the Second Partition of Poland the District of Bydgoszcz was incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia. As a consequence, on that area the modern concept of public health was introduced, similarly to the rest of the 19^th-century Germany. Prussian doctors-officers were responsible for the development of the sanitary policy and guarded the norms ensuring preservation of health. At the beginning of the 19^th century activeness of the Prussian state with reference to medical care, determined mostly by military and security considerations, was of short term or temporary character and focused mainly on anti-epidemic measures. It was no earlier than the second half of the 19^th century that the concept of subjective right for health protection was created, mainly related to the health protection of working persons. The German insurance order was binding also on the Polish Territories annexed by the Prussia. On the basis of acts on insurance in the Bydgoszcz District the municipal and regional health maintenance organizations were established, owing to which the medical services and financial aid were available also to the Polish working class. The development of social insurance contributed to extension and modernization of hospitals and enabled the regulation of pharmacy-related matters, and of dental and midwifery care in the Bydgoszcz District.