Prostitution and Venereal Diseases in Dubrovnik During the First World War (1914–1918)

The article examines the issue of people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases during the First World War, based on the archival material from Dubrovnik hospital found in the State Archives’ “Hospital – unsettled material” fund. In the 19th century, Dubrovnik society blamed the existence of non-institutionalized prostitution for the high increase in individuals suffering from venereal diseases. The emergence of brothels was intended to lead to disease control. At the beginning of the First World War, with the number of soldiers increasing and the proximity to the Montenegrin battlefield, there was a rise in the incidence of venereal diseases. The significance of sexually transmitted diseases in war conditions is particularly important and affects the results of the war conflict. Therefore, the military authorities try to control the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases with various preventive measures. Syphilis and gonorrhea stand out among sexually transmitted diseases. Hospital capacities were not sufficient for all syphilis patients, and occasionally the hospital blocked the admission of patients.