Brefotrofi e malattie della prima infanzia. Storia ed etica dell’assistenza a Verona nel primo Novecento

Some reports dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century relating to the orphanage of the city of Verona, published by the Director Prof. Odorico Viana allow a reconstruction of the human and social scenario of this institution, to make observati ons on the morbid conditions of childhood in more or less marked situations of discomfort, and to develop some ethical deontological reflections. During the direction of prof. Viana, over the course of three decades, significant organizational reforms were promoted, and at the same time epidemiological data useful for a better understanding of morbidity and causes of mortality in a particularly at risk child p opulation were published. The numerous ethical issues linked to the theme of abandoned children are the subject of a reflection that goes beyond the human and professional dimension of medicine, to involve cultural influences and social transformations.