[Problems of Doctor Judym's peers]

This paper is a work on the health conditions of the inhabitants of Rzeszów and the surrounding area in the second half of the 19th century as based on the mortality analysis. A comparison and contrast has been made between the daily work of a doctor nowadays and a hundred years ago. The issues have been presented at various levels, with reference to the political, socio-economic and cultural relations existing at that time. The work is enhanced with additional comments on the doctor's profession and the problem of diagnostic difficulties as well as the possibility of making a mistaken judgement. Additionally, the definition of death at that time and at present has been formulated. The issues of colleague solidarity, ethical and moral issues and the activities of the Doctors' Association over the above mentioned period are also discussed. I noted the "plague" of the time which was the provision of medical treatment by the unqualified. The above considerations may be a starting point for the present, popular discussion on the principles of a doctor's ethics and duty.