[On medical chambers]

The author describes the history of Medical Chambers in Poland. The first organization bonding physicians was founded in Gdańsk at the beginning of the 17th century--the Collegium Medicorum Gedanensis. This Collegium was later on recognized as the first Medical Chamber in Poland. The author describes the foundation of Medical Chambers in the Polish territories under the Austrian and Prussian occupation, and the organization and activities of Medical Chambers between world wars. In connection with the present restructuring of the Medical Chambers the author points out that in their organization and programming historical experiences should be utilized, but warns against mechanical repetition of these experiences since the present goals and other conditions are different for the activities of these chambers.