Historical Landmarks of Health Institutions in Bihor County Between the Last Decades of 18th Century and the Great Union
Abstract
The following paper presents the evolution of health institutions in the Bihor County (except Oradea) over the years, since the appearance of the first health related establishments and until the Great Union. Up to the middle of the 19 th century, the first elements of health and even medical-pharmaceutical services began to take shape in the anti-epidemiological battle, and these elements were extended during the following period, as a necessity imposed by the development of society. The demographic evolution, the accelerated administrative and legislative progress in the entire Habsburg Empire prompted health authorities to pay more attention to the establishment of new institutions, beside other measures meant to protect the population’s health. After 1867 the dualist Austro-Hungarian Monarchy maintained the previous economical and sanitary policy, which generated progress in health services. The most important law passed during this period and which remained effective until 1918, is the Health Law of 1876, which governed all health related activities, from central authorities to local ones, the doctors’ training and activity, the organization and running of hospitals, as well as the treatment of patients.