The organization of health service during the First World War in the western uyezds of the Oryol Governorate. Review of the Bryansk archive’s documents

Abstract

The article is based on an analysis of the Bryansk region State Archive’s documents and deals with the mobilization measures of the authorities, public organizations and residents of the Bryansk, Karachev, Sevsk and Trubchevsk uyezds of the Oryol Governorate, aimed at the organization of health care for sick and wounded combatants during the First World War. The significance of the city of Bryansk as an important railway junction and an evacuation point is highlighted. 18 hospitals were additionally organized by joint efforts in Bryansk at the very beginning of the war in addition to the already existing military hospital (a total of 1300 cots). At the same time, the key role of the All-Russian City Council for helping sick and wounded combatants in financing and maintaining a number of medical institutions is shown. The activities of the Bryansk Committee of the Red Cross, which coordinated the activities of all government and public organizations in the territory of the above-mentioned uyezds, are also characterized. The author mentions the Committee’s information concerning the hospitals that came up after the war outbreak. The activities of the Ladies’ Circle, which was engaged in both medical and charitable assistance, are especially noted. The article pays particular attention to the documents of the Bryansk military hospital as the main medical institution in the wartime conditions.