The Rinderpest in the Ottoman State

Rinderpest is a disease, the main factor of which is virus and be seen among the cattle, such as beef. The disease led to the death of cattle in a great amount, in a short period, due to the any tools contacted to the virus. The disease went on its spreading process starting from the beginning of 18th century, with the epidemics, and killed millions of animals in the century. İn the Ottoman State in the 19th century, the disease started to be effective especially after the war of Ninety-three, and while increasing the frequency of being observed, led to great cattle death. The disease also led to the institution of veterinary being formed and led to the acceleration of progress and the scientific ways’ being chosen in the field of animal health. The studies on the rinderpest, started due to the cattle death in great amount in the 18th century; however, after the increase of the epidemics, in the Ottoman State until the end of the 19th century, both the actives of the disease being a virus was detected and also the vaccine which is mentioned as a serum for the disease was found by the scientists in the bacteriology in İstanbul. The vaccine was used in the short term; but due to financial deficiencies, the vaccine couldn’t be developed in the long term. While the disease was repeating and spreading due to the facts of ignorance, inefficiency, insensitivity, and neglect, in the country, it went on spreading because of war, trade and migrations in international aspect. Beginning from the final quarter of the 19th century, there some precautions started to be taken; but, the lack of budget and the inadequacy of qualified staff, prevented the effective results being got, in the Ottoman State. Legally, effective struggle could not be done. As the rinderpest epidemics, led to the death of lots of cattle, it directly affected agriculture and livestock, and led to the loss of work power and income