Effects of Epidemics on Population; Actions of Central Government and Effective Factors (Northern Coast of Persian Gulf 1300-1320 A.H.S.)

Abstract

Geographical location and climatic condition in the northern coast of Persian Gulf provided a suitable condition for the spread of epidemic diseases and their continuity. In Qajar period, increased relations with India, Mesopotamia and lack of health facilities caused the death of many residents in these areas. At the beginning of Reza Shah’s reign and the government’s attitude towards modernization, it was expected that diseases would be eradicated all over the Northern Coast of Persian Gulf; nevertheless, several factors such as war, drought, local Khans’ engagement, oil exploration etc. had an effect on the government’s actions and caused the government to pay attention to some areas more than others, so the population increased in these areas and other areas faced low growth and population decline. Following a descriptive-analytic method and by accepting this view that the spread of epidemics in Qajar and Pahlavi periods impacted population changes in the Northern Coast of Persian Gulf, we addressed central government’s actions and effective factors as to find out to what extent these measures helped control such diseases in these areas.Many epidemics in the northern coast of Persian Gulf, particularly Cholera and Plague came from India to these seaports and continued because of climatic conditions, and caused the death of many residents. Central government could control and decrease death rate from these diseases partly until the end of Reza Shah’s reign with establishing health centers, quarantine, security and road building. Based on central government’s actions, other common diseases partly decreased in these areas especially in Khuzestan.