On the peculiarities of the epidemiological situation in the Yakutsk region in the second half of the 19th century.

The subject of the study is the struggle of the authorities in the Yakutsk region against epidemics in the second half of the 19th century. The object of the study is the epidemiological situation in the region during the specified time. The authors provide an overview of major epidemics that occurred during this period—measles in 1851, 1863–1864, smallpox in 1874–1875, and in the 1880s—based on previously unstudied archival data, in the context of measures taken by local regional authorities for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Special attention is paid to attempts to establish a dependence of the epidemiological situation on historical and demographic processes, specific actions of regional authorities for the prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases such as smallpox and measles. The study also examines the peculiarities of local administration during this period. Historical-comparative and statistical methods are applied in the research. In the first case, this refers to comparing the epidemiological situation in the first and second halves of the 19th century. In the second case, the authors worked with mass quantitative indicators to relate the processes under study to the historical demography of Yakutia. The novelty of the research lies in modeling the established epidemiological situation against the backdrop of historical and demographic processes, particularly among the Yakuts. The main conclusions of the conducted research are as follows: adverse trends (mortality, slowing demographic growth) were evidently related, among other factors, to the detrimental impact of epidemics. This study presents previously unintroduced documentary materials (reports on morbidity, reports, correspondence of indigenous management authorities, district and regional police structures), which indicate the difficulties and peculiarities of the development of the epidemiological situation in the region. It also examines for the first time the staffing of regional health authorities in chronological dynamics: staffing levels, turnover, training, and educational levels of medical personnel serving in the region. A significant contribution of the authors to the study of the topic is the main conclusion drawn during the research—that the adverse situation in the fight against epidemics in the Yakutsk region was significantly influenced by the "human factor": insufficient funding, difficulties with staff replenishment and rotation, organization of vaccination, etc.