Zagadnienie grzybicy woszczynowej owłosionej skóry głowy oraz kampania przeciwstrupniowa prowadzona w Polsce przez Towarzystwo Ochrony Zdrowia Ludności Żydowskiej w latach 1921–1939
The ringworm (favus) and the anti-favus campaign conducted by the Society for the Protection of Jewish Health in Poland (1921–1939)

Summary/Abstract: In the early 1920s, tuberculosis, trachoma and ringworm (favus) were recognized by the Society for the Protection of Jewish Health (Общество адравоохранения Евреев, OZE) and the American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC). Joint) for the three most pressing health problems of the Jewish community in Central and Eastern Europe, the most urgent of which, according to these institutions, was the fi ght against ringworm - a fungal disease of the scalp, sometimes also of the skin of the hands and nails, caused by the Achorion (Trichophyton) Scheonlenii fungus. Treatment of favus consisted of irradiating the affected area with X-rays in order to completely epilate the hair and subsequent treatment with topical agents. In the third decade of the twentieth century, epilation with the use of tall acetate as an “internal epilatory” and a combined method combining both methods of hair epilation were included in the treatment of mycosis of the scalp. The combined method was considered ineffective and was not introduced into the clinics of TOZ. In the years 1921–1938, over 27,000 patients (Jewish children) were successfully treated in Eastern Europe. Eradication was was the goal of TOZ’s activities in Poland from the very beginning although it seems doubtful that until the outbreak of World War II it was possible to eradicate this disease in Poland. Nevertheless the success of the mass campaign to eradicate ringworm among the Jewish community in Poland was undeniable.

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