Soviet Health and Medicine - History in Pictures

1) Sampled images from Sir Arthur Newsholme's Red Medicine: Socialized Health in Soviet Russia (1933):

In a hospital waiting room, Moscow. Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White.



Compulsory vaccination on collective farm in Turkmenistan. Photograph by Soviet Photo Agency.


Diphtheria immunization in Moscow. Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White.


New polyclinic in Leningrad. Leningrad Institute for the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood. Photographs by John A. Kingsbury.


In a Moscow creche. Photograph by Soviet Photo Agency.


Traveling dental station in rural district near Moscow. Photograph by Soviet Photo Agency.


2) Health campaign and public education posters:

"Mud and death are loyal allies,"1920. An influenza, epidemic, and disease-related poster.

(*Note: Mud and dirt are the same word in Russian, грязь (gryaz'). In the context of diseases and epidemics, the word 'dirt' may be more applicable. The poster is saying to keep yourself clean as opposed to dirty.
Thus, the poster could also be read as "Dirt and death are loyal allies.")
 


"During a flu outbreak it is recommended to work in a mask," 1963. 


"Do not be afraid of water, wash yourself daily," 1929.


“People’s Health Care in the USSR," 1927. Originally published by the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia. It can still be found in the Russian State Library today.


"Quackery is deception. Do not trust the healer!" Soviet anti-homeopathy poster, 1959.


"Fly is a source of infection," 1959.


"Wash your hands with soap and water before eating and before preparing food. Wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating and rinse with boiling water several times. Prevent intestinal diseases," 1951.


“Did you rush and didn’t wash your hands carefully? Beware, comrade, the TB!” Unknown date. See more archived hygiene posters here.


"Only vaccination will save you from cholera." Early Soviet poster. Unknown date, possibly from the late 1920's or early 1930's.

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