Description

Publications in this journal

• The anatomy of plastic arts nowadays

  Authors: Karolina Stojek-Sawicka

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):5-27.

  The main subject of the present paper is to illustrate some aspects of the relation between art and medicine in early modern Europe. The aim of this research is to show how the human body wasThe main subject of the present paper is to illustrate some aspects of the relation between art and medicine in early modern Europe. The aim of this research is to show how the human body was perceived by the people at that time, and what changes in presentation of the human body appeared during this long period of time and what factors evoked them. The basic sources for this research are the popular and medical ilustrations which were the basis of medical knowledge in early modern Europe and influenced the consciousness and intellectual development of the widest circles of readers. At the beginning the author delt with the issue of the image of the female body in the discourse of medicine and science. Than she tried to show to what extant the way human body was presented in arts was corelated with the development in medicine and focuses on different ways of presenting the human body from the middle ages to the end of 18th century.

• The relation to the soul and body in the 'good death' category in the light of Old Polish manuals, guides and wills

  Authors: Magdalena Paciorek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):43-54.

  The phenomenon of death has accompanied human existence since the dawn of time. In the Middle Ages, it was something regarded as a natural, universal and almost daily occurrence. But it was not aThe phenomenon of death has accompanied human existence since the dawn of time. In the Middle Ages, it was something regarded as a natural, universal and almost daily occurrence. But it was not a concern for the body that absorbed the thinking of ordinary mortals. It was a belief in the afterlife and the immortality of the soul that made the phenomenon of death so essential. The after-death fate of human souls was to depend on that phenomenon, on the manner in which one's temporal life ended. But was only the welfare of the soul taken into account in the Old Polish period was well as more modern times? On the basis of old-time handbooks, guides and instructions manuals devoted to 'good dying', the author has presented various ways people once displayed a concern for the soul's further existence. Prayer, penance, alms and reconciliation with the temporal world were only some of them. A major role was assigned to the drafting of wills. It should be emphasised, that those not only concerned estates. The testaments drafted by Catholics contained requests for pre-paid prayers, masses and sums set aside for alms for the needy. A concern for one's earthly remains was by no means neglected. Both among Catholic and Protestant believers, the custom of holding often sumptuous funerals, referred to as pompa funebris, was a customary right, and requests for a 'quiet' funeral encountered in wills were not widely respected by heirs of the deceased.

• 19th-century medical treatment of childhood diseases

  Authors: Anna Marek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):69-82.

  In the 19th century, illnesses, including those of children, were treated at home. That pertained to urban as well as rural children alike. In the impoverished Polish countryside, medical treatmentIn the 19th century, illnesses, including those of children, were treated at home. That pertained to urban as well as rural children alike. In the impoverished Polish countryside, medical treatment was largely confined to the folk-medicine practices that had been passed down from one generation to another. In rural villages and small towns, where doctors of medicine were few and far between, the parents of sick children would seek the help of folk healers or simply older women who made use of various herbal remedies. Such treatment was of a symptom-relieving nature and therefore affected the young patient's entire system. Children were also treated in their homes and family circles in cities. One can even distinguish a characteristic form of therapy which might be referred to as home medicine. It made use of a variety of therapeutic methods carried out in a domestic setting by physicians or parents. Usually those methods were based on traditional folk superstitions, additionally bolstered by rational premises. Generally accessible means, not only herbs but also diets, hydrotherapy, blood-letting and pharmacological preparations were used to treat sick children at home.

• Social diseases in the interwar period in the Lwów Province

  Authors: Małgorzata Marcysiak

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):99-136.

  The health state of Polish society in the interwar period was unsatisfactory. In particular, the danger was posed by social diseases, understood to be serious diseases of prolonged type, widespreadThe health state of Polish society in the interwar period was unsatisfactory. In particular, the danger was posed by social diseases, understood to be serious diseases of prolonged type, widespread among people. The diseases included: tuberculosis, trachoma, venereal diseases, infancy diseases causing a large scale infant mortality, excessive mortality among mothers in the peripartum (around birth) period, alcoholism, mental diseases, goiter, cancers, and occupational diseases. Because of the character of the social diseases, fighting them was long, and the interactions aimed not only at the ill ones, but also at their environment. The main role in this process was played by social ambulatories, whose chief task was prophylaxis. The actions differed depending on individual diseases. The personnel consisted of doctors, social nurses, school hygienists, sanitary supervisors, and social keepers. There were undertaken coordinated actions, supported by the state, provincial and district self-governments, and social organizations. Regulations governing the fight against social diseases were created. They mainly applied to organizing institutions and obligatory registration of diseases. Thanks to cyclically growing number of institutions, personnel trainings and sanctioning of the fight against social diseases, the epidemiologic situation improved noticeably towards the end of the period.

• Homeopathic medicine and magic

  Authors: Dorota Angutek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):29-41.

  The article compares homeopathic medicine and primitive magic. The author realises formal similarities beetwen these two fields of knowledge. The primitive homeopathic magic characterised by J. G.The article compares homeopathic medicine and primitive magic. The author realises formal similarities beetwen these two fields of knowledge. The primitive homeopathic magic characterised by J. G. Frazer in his The Golden Bought announces that "similar courses similar". M. Mauss and H. Hubert added to this "low" an another formula: "similar acts on similar that courses a contrary phenomenon". The last formula is an identic one with the "low" of homeopathic medicine. Moreover there is a similarity between pantheistic religion of Hahnemann and magician beliefs in the power named mana in Melanesia and Polinesia or orenda, wakan, manitou and so on, by the Indians from The North America. The amazing thing is that homeopathic chemists belive that kinetic power transforms itself into esoteric one, during preparation of homeopathic medicines.In the end of this article the author ascertains that homeopathic medicine and magic has certain paradigm in common what is opposit to racionalism of official European paradigm of thinking.

• The health and sanitary care in Kingdom of Poland at the turn of 19th century

  Authors: Elzbieta Wieckowska

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):55-68.

  The subject of the article is a description of the organization and the development of the forms of medical health and sanitary care realized by social-philanthropic institutions and stateThe subject of the article is a description of the organization and the development of the forms of medical health and sanitary care realized by social-philanthropic institutions and state administration at the turn of the 19th century in the territories of the Kingdom of Poland. The forms of health and sanitary care were classified into those which should be organized maintained by the state, that is social and industrial insurances, industrial plant hospitals, outpatient clinics for workers, for prevention and control of infections and venereal diseases. The other groups included of social care. Social-philanthropic institutions and various individuals tried to provide all possible medical health care to the poorest part of the population and the unemployed. It tried to help children adolescents working in gainful occupations, children born out of wedlock, patients with so called social diseases. It was well known that this health and sanitary care was insufficient and ineffective.

• Eugenics, an element of the literary plots of dystopia

  Authors: Ewa Baum, Michał Musielak

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):83-98.

  The work presents the ideas and assumptions of eugenics, a social philosophy established in 1883 by Francis Galton, which affected the social policies of numerous European countries in the first halfThe work presents the ideas and assumptions of eugenics, a social philosophy established in 1883 by Francis Galton, which affected the social policies of numerous European countries in the first half of the 20th century. The work shows the effect of eugenics on the literary standards of European prose in the previous century. Two outstanding dystopian novels of the 20th century, The Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell, situate eugenics as a permanent element of the literary plot of dystopia. Apart from the typical features of this type of novel, for example: personal narration with a trace of irony, a totalitarian state and Newspeak, eugenics is an important element of the literary plot with is aim to exclude and marginalise certain social groups. Eugenics is also one of the main social ideas criticised by both the writers.

• Illegitimate births in selected poviats of Northern Mazowsze in the period of the second Republic of Poland

  Authors: Teresa Dworecka

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2007; 14(1-2):137-66.

  The main subject of my analysis were dublicates of birth certificates from Registered Offices in six poviats of Northern Mazowsze in the period of the second Republic of Poland. Sixty two thousandThe main subject of my analysis were dublicates of birth certificates from Registered Offices in six poviats of Northern Mazowsze in the period of the second Republic of Poland. Sixty two thousand three hundred and ninety three Roman Catholic, Jewish and Protestant religion birth certificates from the years 1918-1939 were analysed. Among those births two thousand four hundred and fifty were illegitimate, which is 3.93% of all births. It is worth underlining that the number of illegitimate births on the analysed area was lower than in other regions of the country in the same period. The highest number of illegitimate births was recorded in 1936, the lowest in 1918. If it comes to poviats, poviat "pułtuski" has the greatest percentage share in the whole number of illegitimate births. The lowest number of illegitimate births was recorded in poviat "przasnyski". The tragedy of an illegitimate child, as press of that time emphasized, started with the case of surname and defining the nature of the birth itself, due to the fact that in our law there was not defined any form of marital status certificate allowing a person to conceal or cover the illegitimate origin. Usually, the fact of giving birth to a child from a matrimony reported the father and in the certificate was written "the child born by his legitimate spouse...". The fact of absence of the father at the time of drawing the birth certificate was also marked and the reasons of the absence were given, e. g. "father at war with Bolsheviks" or "father abroad". However, in the case of an illegitimate child the record was "child born by her, X year old unmarried girl, father unknown" or "by her X year old girl and unknown father". In some certificates at a later date the father's name was added but without his surname. The fact of giving birth to an illegitimate child among Roman Catholics and Protestants was reported usually by the child's mother, her relatives or other sometimes completely strange people. Due to Stanisława Orzechowska as many as 77% of illegitimate children's fathers did not want to bear the consequences of their actions and secure the child's financial maintenance. From my research appears that this regularity applies only to fathers of Roman Catholic and Protestant religion. Whereas, among illegitimate children of Jewish religion there were only several cases in which the father remained unknown or the child had not been legitimized by the biological father. Among the representatives of the Jewish religion the fact of giving birth to an illegitimate child was usually registered by the child's father, who as was written in the certificate: "accepted the child as his and declared he is the father". About the illegitimate child's mother it was written: "born by illegitimate wife" or "unlawful spouse" or "unmarried X years old living with the child's father", "child born by mother X and father Y". We can even discover that at drawing the illegitimate children's certificates euphemisms were commonly used. While among Catholics phase: "by her unmarried" had a pejorative meaning. Among Jews a common practise was recording by the father at the Registry Office even several children born in different years from an illegitimate relationship with only one woman. Then, it was marked that "the delay was caused by family reasons" or "father's departure to America". It was occasionally written that "the reason of late report was father's negligence". Whereas, in situation of a delay in drawing the illegitimate child's certificate among Roman Catholics it was usually marked that: "the delay is caused by mother's negligence" or "certificate delayed because of her appearing", so the father was never blamed. While among Jews father felt responsible for his children and their mother. In the press was repeatedly emphasized that the illegitimate mothers were usually young, helpless maidens, not depraved born losers, which came to a big city from the country in the pursuit of a job. While, from the gathered material appears that the illegitimate mothers were only occasionally sixteen or seventeen years old. In majority they were from twenty four to twenty eight years old. Mamy times in birth certificates the mother's origin was defined: "workwoman's daughter", "worker's daughter", "farmer's daughter". Illegitimate mothers were above all workwoman or workers. In Płońsk, on the other hand, maiden. It is probable, that it was for the nearness of Warsaw. Girls from the provinces were coming to the capital city in the pursuit of the job of a maiden. When they got pregnant they got back to their homeland. Other commonly found illegitimate mothers' occupations were: tailoring, hosiery and street-trade. Illegitimate children's birth certificates do not give any information about the fathers. In a situation of drawing a birth certificate for children from a matrimony, the father's occupation or social position was commonly defined: "farm worker", "workman", "trader", "craftsman". Birth certifcates give also information about the abandoned children. In the discussed period there were not many abandonments on this particular territory. Among all analysed certificates only four included information about children that had been abandoned, e. g. "the child found in a roadsite ditch without any sign or a guideline to identify the religion or the date of birth". Social transformations that took place in the period of the second Republic of Poland were closely connected with economic development. The economic situation has its influence on the increasing or decreasing number of births in various years. The cultural stucture of society was in close relation with education. National and religious differences played its great role too. However, it is difficult to give an ambigous answer to the question what factors had the most important influence on the number of illegitimate births in analysed poviats in the period between the two World Wars. Not every change that takes place in society can be analysed with a quantitative method due to the fact that not everything can be measured.

• Several remarks on what is known as the Polish school of medical philosophy

  Authors: Stefan Zamecki

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):25-33.

  This sketch is a polemic with the titular issue raised by Ryszard W. Gryglewski's article Problem: Is medicine an art or science?--in light of the Polish school of medical philosophy up to theThis sketch is a polemic with the titular issue raised by Ryszard W. Gryglewski's article Problem: Is medicine an art or science?--in light of the Polish school of medical philosophy up to the outbreak of World War Two, published in this issue of 'Medycyna Nowozytna' ('Modern Medicine'). The author of the sketch proposes the analysis and construction of such concepts as the concept of a Polish school of medical philosophy as well as the concept of medicine (in my terminology conception of the field of 'medicine'). That proposal is backed by the conviction that in metascientific research, including the history of the field of medicine, greater precision should be sought in order to eliminate, as far as possible, ambiguity amongst basic terms and the resultant epistemological vagueness of individual statements.

• The child's hospital in Europe

  Authors: Anna Marek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):79-92.

  There weren't child's hospital in Europe until the beginning of the nineteenth century. The need for child's treatment wasn't perceived. Rich people took care of ill children in their homes but poorThere weren't child's hospital in Europe until the beginning of the nineteenth century. The need for child's treatment wasn't perceived. Rich people took care of ill children in their homes but poor children were deprived of care or were hospitalized in the hospitals for adults, where they were treated as men and women. Even existence of asylums didn't solve the problems with unwanted, abandoned and ill children. The first hospital for children was built in 1802 in Paris. It was the biggest child's hospital in Europe for a long time (it had 300 beds). Next hospitals were built in Petersburg (1834), Wiedeń and Wrocław (1837), Praga and Moskwa (1842), Berlin (1843), Londyn (1847) and Kopenhaga (1850). At the beginning of the twentieth century there were about 200 hospitals for children all over the world. The most hospitals were in the Germany, the Austro-Hungary and the Great Britain.

• Zionists to Zion

  Authors: Bozena Płonka Syroka

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):125-36.

  The issue of presence of doctors of Jewish origin in Polish medical community is the subject of research presented in this article. The author describes the most important personalities originatingThe issue of presence of doctors of Jewish origin in Polish medical community is the subject of research presented in this article. The author describes the most important personalities originating from this national group, who had the biggest contribution to Polish modern times medical life. The process of Jewish minority assimilation to Polish culture in 18th and 19th centuries is outlined, as well as its effects in reborn Poland. Also, the Jewish minority situation during the Second World War is describes, and the harm they suffered then. Against this background the author shows the anti-Semitic trends visible in Polish political life in times of Polish People's Republic, especially during the 1968 upheavals, which greatly contributed to the fact that many doctors of medicine of Jewish origin emigrated from Poland for political reasons.

• The philosophy of Erich Fromm. On the example of Escape from Freedom

  Authors: Joanna Urbanek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):137-70.

  The author makes an attempt to criticise the main assumptions of the thinking of Erich Fromm (1900-1980), the well-known German psychologist and creative continuator of the psychoanalysis current. InThe author makes an attempt to criticise the main assumptions of the thinking of Erich Fromm (1900-1980), the well-known German psychologist and creative continuator of the psychoanalysis current. In particular, she focuses on one of Fromm's principal works, Flight from Freedom, in which he had analysed the mechanisms inducing people to eschew independent thinking and submit to an authority demanding blind obedience. In constructing his system, he derived inspiration from the Biblical tradition, Freud and Marx, whilst approaching them critically from the very outset. Fromm has also presented his recipe for the building of a 'healthy society', based on the harmonious development of individuals in an environment permitting complete self-fulfilment within the bounds of respect for the freedom of others.

• Is medicine an art or a science?--considerations in the light of Polish school of medicine philosophy and views of other European doctors from the beginning of 19th century till outbreak of the Second World War"

  Authors: Ryszard W Gryglewski

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):7-24.

  This paper is devoted to the problem of real nature of medicine, as it was seen in Polish school of the philosophy of the medicine. Is medicine more (or only) science, or is it an art was the crucialThis paper is devoted to the problem of real nature of medicine, as it was seen in Polish school of the philosophy of the medicine. Is medicine more (or only) science, or is it an art was the crucial point of discussion, which was held in European philosophy of the medicine for the first time in late 19th century. The important voice in it was given by Polish scientists such as Zygmunt Kramsztyk, Henryk Nusbaum, Władysław Biegański, Edmund Biernacki, Władyslaw Szumowski and Ludwik Zembrzuski. How they understood place and meaning of medicine in the realm of human activities, in which points they found the same grounds and in which they differed, should be seen as the main topic for this article.

• The relationship between Stanisław Lem and medicine

  Authors: Jerzy Janiuk

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):35-78.

  Stanisław Lem is the most widely read science fiction auther in the world. He is regarded as the greatest writer in the history of science fiction and the creator of Polish science fiction. He isStanisław Lem is the most widely read science fiction auther in the world. He is regarded as the greatest writer in the history of science fiction and the creator of Polish science fiction. He is also regarded as a restorer of a literary convention of this genre writing his first novels according to the classical pattern but broadening and perfecting them. His later period was devoted to philosophical dispute, cybernetics and current political topics. He also wrote about human technological progress and the problem of human existence in the world, presenting his futurological prognoses in the field of culture and technology. Stanisław Lem graduated from medicine but he has never taken up medical practice. Nevertheless, medical education formed his outlook on life, the world and diverse interest in literature. Therefore, in his works there are many references to medical problems and the issues addressed in the novels are based on the medical issues. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the relationship between Stanisław Lem and medicine, in particular the search for the tracks of medical education in Lem's literary output.

• Problems of the development of Polish Medical Periodicals in the inter-war period with particular focus on the hygiene-related press

  Authors: Magdalena Paciorek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2006; 13(1-2):93-124.

  During the two decades between the World Wars, the medical press was an indispensable element in the development of medicine. The dissemination of scientific breakthroughs and new medical proceduresDuring the two decades between the World Wars, the medical press was an indispensable element in the development of medicine. The dissemination of scientific breakthroughs and new medical procedures as well as the opportunity to discuss them and formulate opinions thereon were the overriding goals of the scientific medical press. But the difficult economic conditions of the inter-war period were not conducive to the existence of such journals. Nevertheless, during the period under discussion the number of new medical periodicals kept increasing, adversely affecting the readership of existing journals. During the inter-war period, the development of a hitherto unencountered field of medicine, hygiene, was noted. Its further development depended on the dissemination of research results and the promotion of health-protection principles. Therefore it was in free Poland that the hygiene-related press developed apace. The article contains a list of 22 hygiene periodicals, nine of which met the criteria of scientific periodicals (of the archival type or addressed to the general public). The remaining 13 were popular magazines and health guides. An analysis of the form and content of the titles appearing during that period has been conducted.

• Terminology and the medical issues in the early (1931-1939) works by Michał Choromański

  Authors: Jerzy Janiuk

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):19-51.

  Michał Choromański (1904-1972) was a very popular author before the II World War outbreak. The works dating from that period are full of medical issues and terminology. The works reflect the author'sMichał Choromański (1904-1972) was a very popular author before the II World War outbreak. The works dating from that period are full of medical issues and terminology. The works reflect the author's long-standing battle against his disease and the observations made during his stay in hospitals. The subject of the author's analysis is the correctness of the applied medical terminology used by Choromański in his works in accordance with medical knowledge and legally binding laws of that time.

• Reiki--Japanese art of curing and its position in schemes of holistic therapeutics in Poland

  Authors: Aleksandra Kosakowska

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):67-84.

  Reiki is a healing practice, rised in Japan in the mid XI'th century. The philosophy of this art of cure assumes that human health depends on the level and harmonious flow of the vital energy, calledReiki is a healing practice, rised in Japan in the mid XI'th century. The philosophy of this art of cure assumes that human health depends on the level and harmonious flow of the vital energy, called "ki". Therefore the main aim of this practice is to remove all energetic blockades in individual's body. Owing to that process the natural, in the practicioners' opinion, human's ability of healing by transfer the ki is restored. Certain steps of initiations increase practitioners skills. In the contemporary euroamerican culture, Reiki has begun to unfold since the beginning of 1970's. Expanding in those days New Age philosophy has supported its adaptation in our society. In Poland this method appeard in the late 1980's and is still rather unknown as a culture occurrence. Author's research, conducted among practicioners' from Olsztyn and Poznań, was to broaden the knowledge about the method and people, who are involved in it. The results show that Reiki is one of the holistic treatment's practices but it has also its unique character. For instance, it assumes the particular role of healer, who is a guide for his patient, helping him to understand and cure himself. According to the practitioners Reiki is the way of comprehensive development, identified with the drift towards holistic health.

• Children's diseases in the columns of "The Weekly Medicine"

  Authors: Anna Marek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):113-37.

  "The Weekly Medicine", the first scientific weekly journal, was published in Warsaw in the years 1847-1868. Its editor and publisher was L. Natanson. The weekly comprised original works, translations"The Weekly Medicine", the first scientific weekly journal, was published in Warsaw in the years 1847-1868. Its editor and publisher was L. Natanson. The weekly comprised original works, translations from foreign periodicals, books reviews, correspondence, biographies and reports from for example the Warsaw Medical Society. A lot of attention devoted to sickness from birth till adult. In "The Weekly Medicine" wrote polish authors and were very articles translations from foreign periodicals. Authors talked about younger children's illnesses: hydrocephalus, conjunctivitis, thrush, diarrhoea, convulsions, pleurisy, liver cancer, syphilis and teething. In articles have been descriptioned sickness and treatmented. Information about children's illnesses creating basis to develop independent pediatrics science.

• Problem of sexuality in Polish medical aids. The first half of XX century - to 1939

  Authors: Bozena Urbanek

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):163-80.

  The article presents an analysis of sexuality-related problems as they are covered in the health guidebooks so well known to her. There are a few topics addressed in Urbanek's text. She describes theThe article presents an analysis of sexuality-related problems as they are covered in the health guidebooks so well known to her. There are a few topics addressed in Urbanek's text. She describes the evolution of the health guidebooks which was taking place at the end of the 19th and in early 20th centuries and of their users. Women increasingly often were authors and readers of these books. Some of the female authors were medical doctors with an additional passion for writing on public matters. Foreign authors and their works are also mentioned in Urbanek's article. She points to the links between sexology and personal hygiene and even cosmetology. Sexology is present in the guidebooks discussed also as an important ingredient of successful marriage. In this context, Urbanek stresses the changing role of a woman and her strife for acquiring equal rights. Another valuable element in the article is reference to other spheres of culture, such as custom and religion. The 20th century filled these spheres with medical knowledge on childbirth pathologies and their complications. Medical and hygiene-related topics motivate Urbanek to set the question of sexuality in a context of eugenic ideas often debated in the pre-war years. She also points to the multicultural character of the Polish-language health books, identifies various angles of view presented in them, and supports her reflection with well-selected examples. This applies eg. to Soviet books. Although this is not her main subject, Urbanek also writes about health books dealing with sexual matters and destined for men. The author of the article gives a fine description of the variability of sexuality-related contents carried by these books which offered adequate coverage of changes occurring in medical, hygienic, cultural, and even economic fields. The paper is, therefore, not only an analysis of sexuality-related issues but it also presents a broad social context in which these books were conceived and written.

• The truth in medicine. The scale's problem of information given a patient by a doctor in the light of ethics

  Authors: Jolanta Katafias

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):53-65.

  The aim of the paper is presenting problematic issue of truthfulness in medicine, as the moral obligation underlined by the "don't lie" norm. The article presents an attempt to answer the questionThe aim of the paper is presenting problematic issue of truthfulness in medicine, as the moral obligation underlined by the "don't lie" norm. The article presents an attempt to answer the question whether from the ethical point of view the requisition of truthfulness is the arbitrary obligation of the physician addressing the patient or there are justified exceptions from the rule, and if yes, what the supporting rationale is. Comparing the arguments for and against we may conclude that the position presented by the absolutists, who recognize the truthfulness in medicine as a requisition, in practice may lead to moral conflicts. Doctors more or less consciously understand that the primary ethical requisition in their profession is patient's well-being--salus aegroti suprema lex esto. The above law in practice makes physicians anticipate the consequences of their action for patients. The notion of "patient's well-being" is relative and depends on patient's moral system. Thus doctors have to be cautious not to impose their moral system on patients.

• Witch trials in the Salem as a medical error. Witch hunts in the XVII century and the medical art

  Authors: Wiktor Werner

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):5-17.

  That article concerns with the influences of medical practitioners in witch hunts in the Salem (1692). Witch trials in England and English colonies in the XVII century were mainly criminal trials.That article concerns with the influences of medical practitioners in witch hunts in the Salem (1692). Witch trials in England and English colonies in the XVII century were mainly criminal trials. Witchcraft had been there considered principally as a crime-tool rather then the crime itself. Witches were usually accused of crimes such as the murder and the disease sending. Physicians normally played in that situations the role of court experts. They decided if analyzed disease had normal or abnormal, artificial origin. In the Salem an medical practitioner judged that an illness which touched some children had come from the acts of sorcery. That was the beginning of a long and bloody witch hunt. Death sentences in the Salem trial were also justified with applying medical and physical categories to show the objectivity of a witchcraft. Salem judges were sure that by using "objective" categories they had been able to proof the existence of material relations between the witch and bewitched persons without the possibility of error.

• Medical plants in Mazurian life in the first half of XVIII century in the light of information collected by Jerzy Andrzej Helwing

  Authors: Ewa Piroznikow

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):85-111.

  In the first part of the 18th century the Polish-speaking communities from the Mazurian Region used the plants species in medical and magical practices providing the recovery and protection againstIn the first part of the 18th century the Polish-speaking communities from the Mazurian Region used the plants species in medical and magical practices providing the recovery and protection against diseases. Among 239 vascular plants which Polish taxon names were registered by preacher J. A. Wegoborka, 142 of them used to be applied in folk medicine in this period. In the 18th century 36 plants were still used in medical practices in the Mazurian Region but not Polish country in that time. The numerous plant species provided a treatment for wounds, ulcers, abscesses, fever and kidney as well bladders diseases (Table 2). In many cases the way of usage of many herbs was distinguish between Mazurian and Polish territory. In the magical practices providing recovery and protection against diseases 104 plant species were common gained. Fifteen of them weren't used sensu stricto to practice medicine. The numerous of them were used for magical practices concerning the treatment of "madman", eye diseases, reinstatment of mental health, protection from various diseases, detection the poisons and intoxications.

• Nowe Miasto on the Pilica rier--the first XIXth Physiotherapeutic Institution in Polish Kingdom

  Authors: Justyna Małgorzata Kozera

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):139-62.

  The first nineteenth- century clinic of natural medicine in Poland was founded in 1874 in Nowe Miasto on the Pilica. The founder was Doctor Jan Kapistran Bieliński. The clinic being located by theThe first nineteenth- century clinic of natural medicine in Poland was founded in 1874 in Nowe Miasto on the Pilica. The founder was Doctor Jan Kapistran Bieliński. The clinic being located by the riverside was fed with 5 springs of cold water and was surrounded by a big park. In the clinic following treatments were provided: hydrotherapy (a hot, cool, steam, salt, gas, aromatic bath, showers) kinesthesiotherapy (treatment by motion, gymnastics), electrotherapy (static electricity, electric bathing), massage and dietary and pharmacological treatment. In Nowe Miasto diseases of the nervous system (spinal neurasthenia, epilepsy, chorea, nervous palsy) were treated as well as of the vascular system (haemorrhage, anaemia, cardiovascular disorder), the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumoitis, asthma), the digestive system (catarrh and ulceration of stomach and intestines), the sexual system (disorders of menstruation, infertility), urinary tracts (the atonia of bladder, albuminuria, glycosuria) and others (rheumatism, obesity, deafness, convalescence). The clinic had a good reputation and was still being extended. In 1896 it consisted of 26 buildings which housed 150 guest rooms. A very modern medicine department "Marylin" rated the clinic of Nowe Miasto among the top European clinics. The Bieliński's clinic employed following staff: 5 doctors, 2 paramedics, 10 male baths attendants (male nurses who worked in baths), 7 female baths attendants and between ten and twenty support staff. The clinic was open the whole year treating about 400 persons yearly. The patients came from the whole area of Congress Kingdom of Poland as well as from cities abroad: Moscow, St Petersburg, Smolensk, Cracow, London or New York. The majority of patients came from Lódź and Warsaw. The Doctor J.K. Bielinski's clinic was a cultural centre, too. In their spare time the clients of the clinic were offered trips, balls, lectures, stage performances, concerts and painting exhibitions. I. Paderewski, E. Orzeszkowa, W. Reymont, M. Rodziewiczówna, M. Andriolli, W. Chełmoński and others gave their lectures and performances there. The orchestra of Namysłowski and Ciani played for the patients. Doctor Jan Bileliński worked for the clinic of natural medicine of Nowe Miasto for 42 years. This medical centre existed until 1915. In the course of the war it was entirely damaged and it wasn't reconstructed in the following years.

• Forms of taking care of a mother and a child in Warsaw on the pages of Polish monthly "Opiekun Społeczny" published from 1936 to 1939

  Authors: Teresa Dworecka

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2005; 12(1-2):181-200.

  The issue of care of a mother and a child appeared to be nothing new during the period of II Rzeczpospolita. It used to be one of the most vital problems of social policy of the country. It was theThe issue of care of a mother and a child appeared to be nothing new during the period of II Rzeczpospolita. It used to be one of the most vital problems of social policy of the country. It was the local governments, gmina. poviat's unions as well as the voivodship. Social Security Committees responsibility to protect motherhood and care for children imposed on them by the 16th August 1923 act. The regulation of Department of Public Health the city of Warsaw from 1929 stated in the 1st and that aforementioned care included: "sanitary, medical and nursery care provided by Department of Public Health information bureaus or the social institutions subsided by the magistrat and authorized by it". "Opiekun Społeczny" as the monthly having dealt with the social policy issues in the capital city, in detail discussed certain problems of social and health care for a family, explained the valid legislation and informed about the new Health Department acts. The magazine was above all addressed to Health Department workers and social workers. The issue of care for a mother and a child used to be the leading subject-matter of the magazine since the beginnings of its existence. It was numerously pointed out that taking care for motherhood and a baby, a child at pre-school and school age and the youth is the main job of the care department. The material and moral relief used to be lead by the social workers. As far as the legal assistance is concerned, it was the special information bureaus workers' organized by Zarzad Miejski and "Osiedle" committee responsibility to help mothers in need. One of the most essential problems on one hand and the most difficult on the other faced by the capital city welfare was the problem of illegitimate children, especially the abandoned ones constituting a numerous group. The welfare's aim was to decrease their number and improve their living conditions. The main principle was to make each mother to raise her child on her own. That is why the abandoned children places were reorganized and transformed into the mother and child homes. A new institution was also created--it was the care for abandoned mothers existing near the workplaces. It were the principles then to create conditions efficient enough for the mother to live on her own. The material and legal relief was provided as well as mothers were helped in finding job. Taking care for a mother and her child used to be the field of social institutions. There were various social organizations such as Polish Care for a Child Committee, Polish Drop of Milk Society, Polish Society for Alcoholism Fight and so forth. It was their main aim to help mothers and children in poor living conditions.

• Sobriety societies in the Kingdom of Poland at the turn of the 20th century

  Authors: Izabela Krasińska

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2004; 11(1):47-75.

  The author presents the rise and development of sobriety societies in the territory of the Kingdom of Poland from the latter half of the 19th century to the early 20th. She highlights the initiatorsThe author presents the rise and development of sobriety societies in the territory of the Kingdom of Poland from the latter half of the 19th century to the early 20th. She highlights the initiators of the movement, including individual groups of social activists from various regions of that territory and especially social institutions (such as church-related brotherhoods of sobriety, as well as medical and hygiene societies) and the administrative and government authorities. She ponders their true role and attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts.

Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.