INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT IN GEORGIAN WRITTEN SOURCES

Liana Samkurashvili; Irina Gogonaia; Tamar Abuladze; Lela Shatirishvili; Natia Khizanishvili

Liana Samkurashvili Doc. of Philology Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts Department of Oriental and Armenian manuscripts, Main researcher http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0724-1320
Irina Gogonaia Doc.of Pedagogy Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts Head of the Educational and Qualification Projects Department http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6540-2161
Tamar Abuladze Doc. of Philology Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts Head of Funds Care, Registration and Exhibition Department, Main Curator, Main Researcher http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5666-0786
Lela Shatirishvili http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7846-2630
Natia Khizanishvili Doc. of History Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts Funds Care, Registration and Exhibition Department, Researcher http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0612-8182

Abstract

The article reviews the manuscripts of medical content (fundamental works - Medical Book ("Thsigni Saakimoi"), "Yadigar Daud", "Incomparable Qarabadin" (“Ustsoro Karabadini”), collections, separate works, qarabadins), the chronological framework of which includes the 10^th-19^th centuries, they reflect information about infectious diseases and their treatment; also, medical references in the memoirs with a focus on the public perceptions, causes, and management of these diseases.

The article presents the material in terms of belonging to the chronological, sectoral and cultural environment: the role of the authors or translators of the works in terms of knowledge about epidemiological diseases, the establishment of special terminology, the introduction of Eastern and European traditions.

The Georgian manuscripts reflect the diagnosis of some infectious diseases - plague, cholera, leprosy, smallpox, typhoid - the influence of regional and social characteristics of the infected on the spread and course of diseases, traditional, folk, and contemporary scientific methods of treatment, including vaccination, isolation/lockdown, and escaping tactics, other anti-epidemic measures.

These manuscripts contain references to Eastern, Muslim, and European, as well as Russian physicians and scientists (Galen, Jenner, and others); To some extent, it presents the details of society's approach to infectious diseases, in general, the general knowledge and picture of the development of medicine in a specific historical context.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases,Vaccination, Manuscript, Collections, Qarabadin, Sources