[Development of occupational medicine in Varazdin: from concept to creation]

Since the antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages, physicians had been observing the harmful effects and the illnesses in people who worked in manufacture and/or mining. They would draw attention to such effects and propose solutions which often entailed improvement of working conditions and environment. The ancient physicians from Varazdin had been familiar with such literature, accepted the ideas thereof, and implemented them in practice. Moreover, they followed-up those who had been exposed to similar harmful effects. Some of their interpretations and understanding do not fall short of the modern perceptions of work-related harmful effects and some seem to be far ahead of their times. The introduction of administrative regulations was gradual; at start rare and related to exposure of certain individuals and later more frequent and comprehensive. Scientific approach to the need for systematic occupational safety has taken root in Croatia ever since World War I. Experts in the field have published important papers on the matter. Varazdin has joined the incentive for health care and protection of the exposed to harmful effects of modern industry and working environment since 1956. Physicians are specialising in occupational medicine. The section of occupational medicine in Varazdin was established within the Institute for Hygiene that later gradually transformed to a well organised unit for occupational health care.