[Evaluation of the last 50 years of the progress in immunology in our country].

Different methods of vaccination have been observed in the ancient civilizations, to protect themselves from diseases. Pontus King, Mitridates Eupaton (132-63 B.C.), established the basic principles of Immunology unconsciously. Since he was scared of being poisoned all the time, he looked for an antidote. He gave the poison in little amounts to the prisoners and found a way to be immune against poisons with immunization. He turned out to be the first immunologist. The essential idea of immunology was established by the idea of immunity developed by Jenner and Pasteur, against cholera and smallpox. In our country, immunology has evolved from bacteriology and virology, as well. Actually, in the ancient times, Turks used variolation in their daily lives (from human to human). In the last 50 years, immunology progressed both in our country and in the world rapidly and played an important role in the etiopathogenesis of the diseases of different systems. Also, through a philosophical point of view, it brought the necessity of a holystic evaluation for the description of human health.