Experience of Combating Epidemics in Kalmykia: a Case Study of the 1914 Plague Outbreak

Introduction. The article analyzes the anti-plague efforts launched in the Kalmyk Steppe in 1914. The topic remains understudied in domestic historiography, and only a few papers dealing with Kalmykia’s public healthcare history contain occasional mentions of some epidemic diseases. So, the 1914 plague epidemic has been overlooked as well. And the study proves even more relevant nowadays when humanity is globally facing COVID-19 threats. Goals. The paper specifically aims to provide insight ― on the basis of primary archival sources newly introduced into scientific circulation ― to the struggle against plague in the Kalmyk Steppe in June and July of 1914. Materials and Methods. The work employs general scientific and specifically historical methods, with emphasis be laid on the principle of historicism, method of systemic analysis, and interdisciplinary approach. The latter is particularly important when it comes to examine an epidemic in a nomadic society across arid territories ― and all that took place over 100 years ago. The article deals with archival documents stored at the National Archive of Kalmykia (Kalmyk People’s Administration collection). Those files included in the catalogue of Public Healthcare Department contain materials on three episodes of plague in June and July of 1914, and prove instrumental in reconstructing the actual events in detail. Results. The article chronicles the dramatic vicissitudes of the 1914 plague epidemic in Kalmykia, and shows that all required and justified disinfection measures were assumed, e.g., a strict quarantine was established in the affected areas, sick individuals were isolated and healthy ones evacuated to a safe distance. The doctors were conducting a total inspection of the population in areas adjacent to those of outbreaks, which was followed by two more weeks of observations.

Kalmyk Steppe, ulus, khoton, nomads, epidemics, epidemiology, plague, quarantine, disinfection, evacuation, rodents

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