History of Research on Medical and Social Problems of Childhood: the 18th – First Part of the 19thcc

The paper considers the problem of children’s health in the period from the 18th to the first half of the 19th c. as described by public persons, physicians and teachers of that time. The focus of their attention was childmortality, its causes and socially oriented measures against it. The absence of State forms for male and female population accounting impeded efforts to accuratelyassess birth and mortality rate. However, even incomplete data showed high mortality rate throughout the period. The paper analyzes suggested measures for the protection of children’s health including the description of children’sliving conditions at home, public and boarding schools, their day regimen, physical activity and nutrition. There were practically no works on quantitative data of children’s physical development. Measures taken by public organizations and individuals in that time could not radically change the existing situation with children’s health.