The article analyzes the physical condition and morbidity level of students of Nizhyn Higher School at the late 19th – 20s of the 20th centur. It is noted that the history of health care and medicine in the educational institution has not been studied enough, therefore, the study of this problem is currently relevant. As a result of the research conducted on the basis of a wide range of archival documents from the Department of Preservation of Documents of the State Archive of Chernihiv Region in Nizhyn, and the memories of former students, the authors managed to find out that despite all the vicissitudes that occurred at the institute at the turn of the century, one of the priority tasks of the university administration and student self-government was to take care of the physical condition of the students community.

The factors influencing the health of the student community were identified, the problem of nutrition and its impact on the level of morbidity was explored. The statistics of «student diseases» were separately studied and analyzed. Specific measures of the institute administration aimed at improving the state of health care in the student community were considered. The authors state that the situation in the field of health care and the level of morbidity within the Historical and Philological Institute was much better compared to some metropolitan and provincial higher education institutions. The reason for this was the «boarding» type of educational institution, a sufficiently high level of medical care, and the constant desire of the institution administration to improve the health care system.

It is also emphasized that the political transformations which took place in the Ukrainian lands at the beginning of the 20th century significantly affected health care within the Nizhyn Higher School. The problems that existed in the field of student health care in the first years of Soviet regime turned into crisis. The authors traced the dynamics of morbidity in the students community. Thus, diseases that were associated with difficult conditions of study, living, and poor nutrition of students (neuroses, diseases of the eyes, stomach and oral cavity) came to the fore. At the same time, the new authorities tried in every possible way to improve the medical and sanitary situation, housing and living conditions of study and living, the organization of summer sanatorium and resort treatment and recreation, the establishment of physical culture and sports work, and a number of measures were taken to improve the public catering system.

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