The views of Danylo Samoylovich (1744-1805) on the prevention, course and treatment of the plague.

In the paper I analyse Danylo Samoylovich's views on the prevention, course and treatment of the plague. In addition to the traditional method of source analysis, I also use other theoretical tools: anthropology of knowledge, theory of modernisation as well as institutionalisation, medicalisation and professionalisation. Both Russian and Ukrainian authors call Samoylovich the father of national epidemiology. There is no doubt that his accomplishments have been exaggerated in Russia and Ukraine, but in no way does this detract from Samoylovich's significance, both in his contributions to theoretical medical thought and to practical preventive and therapeutic measures, especially in epidemiology. Samoylovich was part of the modernisation of the Russian Empire, forced through by Catherine II and her entourage. As someone who served in a variety of roles in anti-plague actions, including quarantine physician and chief physician of plague hospitals, Samoylovich can be regarded as a symbol of the institutionalisation and professionalisation of health care in the Russian Empire. By promoting preventive and therapeutic principles, applying them on a large scale, he contributed significantly to the medicalisation of society.