Włodzimierz Berner

Publications of Włodzimierz Berner

• [Epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in Lvov and Cracow during and after World War I (until the year 1922)]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2009; 63(1):149-55.

  In Lvov and Cracow at the times of World War I, the infectious diseases such as tuberculosis followed by typhus fever, typhoid fever, dysentery, as well as scarlet fever, diphtheria, measles,In Lvov and Cracow at the times of World War I, the infectious diseases such as tuberculosis followed by typhus fever, typhoid fever, dysentery, as well as scarlet fever, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, smallpox, cholera and venereal diseases (particularly syphilis) posed one of the most significant and dangerous problems for inhabitants. Their increased prevalence was the result of deteriorating sanitary and living conditions of the city population. The spread of epidemic infectious diseases was enhanced by marching troops, migration of civilians and war prisoners, return of large groups of displaced people and demobilized soldiers after regaining independence in November 1918. Additionally, unfavorable epidemiological situation in Lvov deteriorated at the time of the war with Ukrainians (November 1918-April 1919) and Bolsheviks (July-August 1920). The control of infectious diseases was in the hands of regional local physicians who referred patients to hospitals, isolated homes, bath and disinfection institutions, and conducted vaccinations against smallpox. A decrease in infectious diseases prevalence and deaths to the prewar levels occurred in 1922.

• [Activity of sanitary surveillances in Vilnius at the time of the Second Republic of Poland]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 01/2009; 63(3):461-7.

  At the time of the Second Republic of Poland, in March 1922, the city of Vilnius together with the Vilnius Region was incorporated into Poland. Sanitary and health negligence was one of the mainAt the time of the Second Republic of Poland, in March 1922, the city of Vilnius together with the Vilnius Region was incorporated into Poland. Sanitary and health negligence was one of the main problems of the city. The genesis of that situation dates back to the 120-year national bondage, when the city was under the Russian rule. Since 1915 it was occupied by the German invader, and from January to April 1919 it belonged to Soviet Russia. The legacy left by this epoch concerned bad housing conditions, problems with removal of impurities, scarcity of fresh water supply, uneven and dirt roads, which along with other bionegative factors resulted in dissemination of contagious diseases and occurrence of other health risks. In Vilnius of the interwar period, similarly to other big cities in Poland, sanitary surveillances played a significant role in controlling acute contagious diseases, inspecting sanitary conditions of living quarters, service outlets, industrial plants, sites of production and selling food articles, as well as surveillance of food. Municipal doctors supervised the work of sanitary inspectors in each sanitary office.

• [History of the control of acute infectious diseases in Poland after the World War I--until the year 1924 (including big cities)]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2008; 62(4):849-59.

  Acute infectious diseases of high intensity, i.e. typhus fever, typhoid fever, dysentery, followed by scarlet fever, measles, malaria, relapsing fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, smallpox andAcute infectious diseases of high intensity, i.e. typhus fever, typhoid fever, dysentery, followed by scarlet fever, measles, malaria, relapsing fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, smallpox and Asiatic cholera spreading after the World War I in Poland posed one of the most significant problems in the reviving country. Their incidence resulted not only from bad living conditions of the population but also from poor personal and environmental hygiene and lack of access to bacteriologically healthy drinking water. The Polish-Bolshevik war (1919-1920) as well as repatriation of war prisoners and the Polish population from Russia (its territory was a reservoir of numerous infectious diseases) and the return of large groups of displaced people contributed to spread of epidemics. Morbidity rate of acute infectious diseases was the highest in the big Polish cities, especially in Warsaw, Lodz, Lvov, Cracow and Vilnius. The Bureau of Chief Emergency Commissar for fighting against epidemics, which closely cooperated with other Polish sanitary institutions and international organisations, rendered the greatest service to the control of infectious diseases. Until the year 1924, the largest foci of diseases were controlled and their incidence decreased, what was possible after formation of sanitary posts along the eastern border of Poland, organisation of infectious disease hospitals, bath and disinfection centres in the country, and implementation of protective vaccinations.

• [Sanitary conditions, health care and epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in Cracow in the period of Galicia autonomy (since 60ties/70ties of 19th century until 1914)]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2008; 62(1):181-91.

  After Galicia had received autonomy at the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century in Cracow the changes in order to repair long-running neglects were introduced. In order to fulfill this aim,After Galicia had received autonomy at the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century in Cracow the changes in order to repair long-running neglects were introduced. In order to fulfill this aim, cobbled pavement surfaces of the roads as well as sewage and water supply systems were constructed. District sanitary physicians (ten physicians in 1914 after in 1910-1912 neglected suburbs were attached to the city) were supposed to inspect health care of inhabitants. In spite of remarkable results (especially during the ten years before the World War I) there were many challenges, also concerning improvement of housing conditions. Among the most dangerous diseases predominated tuberculosis, followed by scarlet fever, diphteria, measles and whooping cough, typhoid fever and dysentery. Recrudescent typhus fever and smallpox did not cause considerable health danger any more.

• [Sanitary conditions, medical care and epidemiology situation of infectious diseases in Lvov in the period of Galicia autonomy (from the years 60ties/70ties of 19th century to the year 1914)]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2007; 61(4):815-25.

  Galicia autonomy received at the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century contributed to the formation of organizational basis for activities in favour of improvement of health in the country,Galicia autonomy received at the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century contributed to the formation of organizational basis for activities in favour of improvement of health in the country, including the biggest city of Austrian partition--Lvov. In this city until the World War I outbreak intensive works concerning construction of sewage and water supply systems were performed, what beneficially affected the sanitary conditions in some districts. At the same time despite strenuous efforts, the attempts to provide cobbled permanent surfaces of the majority of roads were unsuccessful. Serious concerns were expressed in relation to living conditions of the Lvov working class. In the situation, the municipal self-governing health service, developed in 1872, with a few district sanitary physicians (7 in 1914) was not able to significantly decrease the incidence of infectious diseases and disease-related mortality rate, however some improvement in this issue was observed. Among the most dangerous diseases predominated tuberculosis, followed by scarlet fever, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough, typhoid fever and dysentery. At the beginning of the XX century the health service managed to eliminate smallpox due to implementation of annual vaccination of infants.

• [Activity of sanitary surveillances/offices in Warsaw at the time of the second republic of Poland]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2006; 60(4):835-44.

  At the time of the Second Republic of Poland, Warsaw, the capital of the rebirth country, was a neglected town as regards sanitary conditions. The genesis of this situation dates back to the periodAt the time of the Second Republic of Poland, Warsaw, the capital of the rebirth country, was a neglected town as regards sanitary conditions. The genesis of this situation dates back to the period of the national bondage by the Russian partitioner, and since 1915 by the German invader who did not care about the problems associated with public health. The sanitary and hygienic conditions worsened significantly in 1916, after incorporating into Warsaw large out-of-town regions whose housing was of the rural character with numerous wooden cottages, field roads, without any sanitary sewage system. Poor municipal sanitary-maintenance conditions and infectious diseases spreading in Warsaw made the Town Authorities implement preventive action and entrust sanitary surveillances with this difficult task. These surveillances were set up at the time of the First World War, and after 1920 were changed into sanitary offices. Their duties included control of acute infectious diseases, sanitary inspection of living quarters, sites of production and selling of food articles, plants, service outlets, shops of a different character, as well as surveillance of food purchased by the inhabitants. In each sanitary office a doctor was employed who supervised the work of one, two or three sanitary inspectors.

• [Trachoma control in Lódź at the time of the II Republic of Poland]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny. 02/2005; 59(1):173-81.

  In Lódź at the time of the II Republic of Poland trachoma was one of the infectious diseases of high social and health repercussions. This disease developed predominantly in the working classIn Lódź at the time of the II Republic of Poland trachoma was one of the infectious diseases of high social and health repercussions. This disease developed predominantly in the working class districts neglected as regards sanitary and hygienic conditions. Trachoma was spread due to lack of waterworks and sewage systems, very poor housing conditions and low level of health culture. Trachoma control was undertaken in Lódź in the years 1922-1923, when the municipal authorities set up the Section for Trachoma Control, the specialist outpatients' department and schools in which trachoma children were taught and provided with constant medical care. The municipal self-government health service was supported by outpatients' departments of the Health Funds/the National Insurance System in their fight against trachoma. Therapeutic and prophylactic activities carried out in Lódź resulted in the reduction of trachoma prevalence rate.

• [Józef Koliński, physician and philanthropist, co-organizator of medical and hygienic movement in Lódź at the turn of 19th and 20th century]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Medycyna nowozytna : studia nad historia medycyny / Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Historii Nauki. 02/2004; 11(1):127-39.

  The subject of this study is the activity of physician and philantropist Józef Kolliński MD (1852-1933). He completed his medical studies at Medical and Surgical Military Academy in St. Petersburg.The subject of this study is the activity of physician and philantropist Józef Kolliński MD (1852-1933). He completed his medical studies at Medical and Surgical Military Academy in St. Petersburg. After obtaining specialization in ophthalmology, he presented his doctor theses at Warsaw University and afterwards he was closely connected with Lódź. At the turn of 19th and 20th century Lódź was considered to be one of the most neglected cities of manufacturing industry in Russian sector of partitioned Poland. Initially, Józef Koliński was appointed in Lódź to the post of military physician. After that he worked in private practice and philantropy was a passion with him. Józef Koliński founded or he was a co-founder of the Medical Society of Lódź (1886) as well as the Lódź Division of the Warsaw Hygienic Society (1902), which appeared vital to the activities for public health. Medical care for children from poor workers families, the fight for Polish culture in schools of Lódź and taking part in establishing ophtalmology wards in local hospitals as well as journalism and research were also of great significance in Józef Koliński's work. In the last years of his life, afterwards Poland regained its independence in 1918, despite him being an elderly man, he was still professionally active. He enjoyed respect and trust from citizens of Lódź, whom he treated and for whom he was active in medical and social societies. He was still remembered in severeal years fellowing his death.

• [From the history of organization of the health service in Lódz on the turn of XIXth and XXth century (to 1914)]

  Authors: Włodzimierz Berner

  Archiwum historii i filozofii medycyny / Polskii Towarzystwo Historii Medycyny i Farmacji. 02/2002; 65(4):475-90.

  On the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century as a result of social -economical transformations which had occurred in the Polish Kingdom, Lódź experienced extremely quick industrial andOn the turn of the 60s and 70s of the XIX century as a result of social -economical transformations which had occurred in the Polish Kingdom, Lódź experienced extremely quick industrial and demographical progress. With the increase in the number of inhabitants, particularly from 80s, the dynamic changes were observed, resulting in the increase in the number of health- service workers in the private service including doctors, dentists, barber-surgeons, midwives and druggists. In the multinational and multireligious Lódz, among health service workers, beside Polish ones there was also staff of German and Jewish descent. In comparison with the private service, the municipal one consisting of only a few doctors, veterinary surgeons and barber-surgeons, was expanding much more slowly. This was a result of Russian sanitary administrations, interest at public health being limited to the minimum. The worsening sanitary-hygienic conditions were the manifestation of this, and in consequence-growing incidence and high death rate of Lódź community, especially from acute and chronic infectious diseases. Decisive role, in the fight against health menaces, fell to socially committed doctors, who were helped by dentists and druggists.