Abstract
Since the first periods of history, various methods have been used in the fight against infectious and epidemic diseases, which have always been a great threat to humanity. Both in the Ottoman period and in the first years of the Republic, many infectious diseases were fought in Turkey and different practices were used in this struggle. One of the practices put into effect in the fight against contagious and epidemic diseases during the transition period from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic was itinerant medical practice. During the Ottoman period, itinerant doctors, who were initially assigned to certain provinces and sanjaks within the framework of the fight against syphilis, also took on duties in the fight against other infectious and epidemic diseases. In the Ottoman period, different instructions were prepared to determine the working conditions of itinerant doctors. Both syphilis and other contagious and epidemic diseases continued in the Republican period and deeply affected the Anatolian people, who were tired after long years of wars. Therefore, in the first years of the Republic, itinerant doctors had an
important place in the fight against syphilis and other infectious and epidemic diseases. In this context, a new regulation was prepared and put into effect in 1934 on itinerant doctors. The new instruction put into effect was very important both in terms of being wider and more comprehensive than the previous ones and revealing the health policies of the early republican period. From this date on, itinerant doctors would act and perform their duties within the framework of the new instruction prepared in the fight against syphilis or other contagious and epidemic diseases. In this article, according to the 1934 regulations, the issue of itinerant medical practice in the fight against syphilis and other infectious and epidemic diseases in the early republican period is discussed, and the duties and responsibilities of itinerant physicians are emphasized.
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