A study on several common diseases in Iranian society during the Qajar era: Causes of prevalence, prevention and treatment methods (The challenge of traditional medicine with modern medicine)

Ghorbani, Mohammad; Zakipour, Nematollah

doi:10.30466/jhf.2026.56427.1046

A study on several common diseases in Iranian society during the Qajar era: Causes of prevalence, prevention and treatment methods (The challenge of traditional medicine with modern medicine)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, History Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran

10.30466/jhf.2026.56427.1046

Abstract

The present research is a study of diseases such as typhoid, whooping cough, influenza, relapsing fever, scarlet fever, cholera, leprosy, measles, and venereal diseases during the Qajar period. Before the arrival of modern medicine in Iran, the ways of dealing with these diseases were through traditional treatment methods. However, with the arrival of modern medicine in Iran, both traditional and modern treatment methods were used to treat diseases. Data extraction was done from historical documents. The research method is historical explanation and analysis of data collected from historical documents. In referring to sources (travelogues, historical texts, first-hand accounts, and studies and research), trustworthiness, honesty and inference from historical data were observed. The research findings show: The lack or shortage of medical facilities and equipment in Iranian society during the Qajar era was one of the most important causes of the spread of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The arrival of modern medicine in Iran and the efforts of government officials to develop medical equipment led to a reduction in human casualties and the prevention of diseases.

Keywords