Valjevo Hospital

War hospital in Valjevo

War Hospital in Valjevo became the medical symbol of sacrifice and humanity during World War II, it was the biggest naval hospital in the war. Valjevo its geographical position and blizni the front lines naturally became the main center for the reception of the wounded, a large number of refugees, prisoners and patients. Soon higjenskih due to poor conditions, in contact with the enemy wounded soldiers appears spotted fever. The biggest problem of this era could easily be spread caring, the epidemic claimed the lives of many.

Preparing for war

Valjevo is its geographical position was the center of attention in the First World War, including the medical center. Serbian government plans in the event of war, using 11 municipal buildings that will be in the hospital where the building will have a total of 2210 beds for patients [1]. The developments that took place after the changes led to the original plan, so that on the eve of the war in Valjevo, there were only two hospitals: Hospital Valjevo district with administrative Selimir Dr. Djordjevic and permanent military hospitals Drina Division, headed by Major, Dr. Paul Vojtech. Both modest adjustment options. The problem is, in addition to facilities and staff. Serbia had about 450 doctors to 4.5 million people. After the outbreak of typhoid fever, Serbian ambulance was forced to call the medical mission to help

War begins

Austria-Hungary attacked the Kingdom of Serbia with the three well-prepared army, ie. engaged the entire Balkan army under the command of Oskar von feldmajstera Potiorek. On the other hand, the Kingdom of Serbia in the conflict unprepared, in a very difficult financial situation, and huge losses ljudksim of the Balkan Wars, shortage of weapons and medical supplies. As the Austro-Hungarians suddenly attacked the Drina, instead of the expected attack from the Sava and Danube rivers, where there are changes in the Serbian war plan. The whole team and the Kingdom of Serbia was relocated in Valjevo, and the city became a major hospital. At the beginning of the war, the citizens' initiative organized by the Commission wounded, where he was appointed a large number of volunteers, primarily Valjevka. In Valjevo had gathered all the wounded, [3].

City hospital

After the first major battles and victories of the Serbian army, a large number of wounded stationed in Valjevo. Arrival and installation of soldiers wounded and refugees caused population reached the figure of 100,000, ten times more than in peacetime, and the city in the words of Dr. Archibald Reiss became the "main house of the Serbian" . In these difficult conditions are beginning to work and the first back-Hospital: First build 17 barracks regiment, artillery barracks in the second, third, in the barracks 5 Infantry Regiment of the beginning of the epidemic was just contagious hospital, and the hospital was fourth in the high school building. conflict intensified, and a number of wounded coming in Valjevo, until the end of September in 1914. Many bars and hotel rooms were available to the wounded, and the owners of the remaining stores in Valjevo ordered: "To open a night hotels and bars that would not have some of the wounded who come in during the night would not have remained in the streets." The whole city became a hospital. And seriously wounded in despair waiting for the order to be reviewed. It is important to note that in Valjevo then there were only 26 doctors. According to the number of wounded has often been over 8000 Another problem besides the wounded and made a typhus epidemic. Therefore, the Serbian government was forced to call for help from the medical mission.

Epidemic typhus

After the glorious victory in the Battle of Kolubara Serbia , where Serbian soldiers passing through Valjevo saw the hospital with Austrian soldiers who were seriously wounded and sick.there were about 3,000 sick and wounded Austrians.Schools , restaurants , warehouses , and even rural stables were converted into hospitals for the wounded and sick.Because of the reluctance of Serbian doctors, lack of equipment and unsanitary conditions in contact with the Austrians appeared typhus. Patients in such circumstances would mean certain death, but consecrated doctors from Serbia will do everything in their power to help the sick and prisoners in contact with an infected typhoid.Serbia suffered 500.000-600.000 where the total population is estimated at around 135,000 deaths, of which 30,000 soldiers.

By medical mission

The Government of the Kingdom of Serbia urged international medical mission to help one of the first to respond to help Russia, French, Scottish, English, American, Dutch, Belgian.next nabroajnih was even smaller medical mission. To contain the epidemic most distinguished head of the Dutch mission Dr. Arius Van Tienhoven, who was on duty the chief surgeon Valjevske military hospitals remained since August 2014.to April in 1915.year.