THE CONTRIBUTION OF AVRAM PETRONIJEVIĆ TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE ALEKSINAC QUARANTINE DURING THE PLAGUE IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF SERBIA IN 1837

Abstract

As a prominent figure of the 19th century, Avram Petronijević and his achievements have been largely presented to the general public. His involvement in the establishment of the Aleksinac quarantine and meetings at Supovac and Gramada, the work and functioning of these state institutions in 1837 during the outbreak of the plague, and cooperation with local authorities in the areas afekte by the contagious disease deserve special attention. The priority was to secure the southern and southeastern parts of the borders and territory of the principality, which were threatened as the infection spread from the territories of the Ottoman Empire. The plague penetrated through the Aleksinac quarantine in July 1837 and affected the towns of Jagodina, Ražanj, and Paraćin, spreading to the villages of Ćićevac, Radoševac, Varoš, and Pardik, thereby posing a serious risk of spreading to other territories of the principality. Strict sanitary measures implemented during the epidemic in the infected areas where quarantines had also been imposed, the plague epidemic was stopped by the end of 1837.