The contribution of the Chair of Microbiology of Athens Medical School in Greek School Hygiene (1900-1920)

The aim of the study is the contribution of the Chair of Microbiology of Athens University Medical School, in the organization and development of school health services during the period 1900-1920. In the early 20th century child morbidity and mortality in Greece were extremely high. The tragic hygienic conditions of the Greek primary and secondary schools, led Professor of Microbiology Constantinos Savvas and his colleague, Emmanuel Lambadarios, to introduce the principles of the School Hygiene in Greece. The School Health Service of the Ministry of Public Education established the rules of schools' construction and fought against infectious diseases such as smallpox, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheritis, meningitis, etc. The contribution of Greek Microbiology in School Hygiene is considered important and successful, based on the gradual reduction of child mortality until the early 1920.