Scarlet Fever in Iran During the Qajar Period (1796 to 1925 AD); A Brief Historical Review

Abstract

Scarlet fever, known in Persian as “Tab-e Sorkh,” is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. During the Qajar era (1796–1925), it was often deadly and reached pandemic levels in the 19th century. Both traditional Iranian and European medicine described its symptoms, but few comparative studies exist. By analyzing historical Persian texts, European medical reports, and modern literature, this study compares how the disease was understood and treated. Symptoms like rash and fever were widely recognized, and mortality was high before antibiotics. Traditional treatments followed humoral theory, including herbal remedies and bloodletting. Outbreaks peaked in cold months, mostly affecting children aged 5–15 years — a pattern seen in both medical systems. From the 1820s to 1880s, scarlet fever caused global outbreaks, especially in Iran. This research shows how combining historical perspectives can deepen our understanding of infectious diseases and their treatment across time.

Keywords: 19th Century histories, History of medicine, Iran, Pandemics, Scarlet fever