The implementation of state quarantine and health policy in the Russian Empire in the XVIII century

The article is devoted to the history and development of the sanitary service in the Russian Empire in the XVIII century, the implementation of state quarantine policy in the territory of a vast state. Special attention is given to legislative measures to ensure relevant measures for the prevention and spread of epidemics and epizootics in connection with the expansion of trade and economic relations of Russia with foreign countries. There was proposed the periodization of state quarantine policies during the XVIII century. The establishment of quarantine at customs houses marked the beginning of a new phase in the implementation of state quarantine policies that have received systemic nature. For the first time in Russian history, there were worked out unified approaches to organizing primary health care. The expansion of trade relations of Russia with foreign countries has caused the need to gather information on the presence of epidemics abroad. With this goal, our diplomats, and the Russian merchants arriving from abroad were obliged to inform the border service of the spread of infectious diseases. The article proves both the level of the development of sanitary and quarantine cases in the XVIII century are not inferior to European. This was due, in particular, the fact that the service in the Russian Empire invited the best physicians from different European countries. Also by the end of the century, Russia has accumulated a unique experience in the sphere of health protection, hygiene, and quarantine. Special attention has been paid to the rules of trade in foodstuffs in the settlements. In the army and navy, there were legally established measures to comply with sanitary-hygienic and preventive requirements. A significant role in health education of the population in the Russian Empire played the Russian Orthodox Church.