[MEDICAL ETHICS / THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL DEONTOLOGY OF THE FIRST ARMENIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION] Skzbunk Bjshkakan Partabanutyan (Principes de Deontologie Medicale) [i.e., Principles of Medical Deontology]

Complete title: [MEDICAL ETHICS / THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL DEONTOLOGY OF THE FIRST ARMENIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION] ՍԿԶԲՈՒՆՔ ԲԺՁԿԱԿԱՆ ՊԱՐՏԱԲԱՆՈՒԹԵԱՆ / Skzbunk Bjshkakan Partabanutyan (Principes de Deontologie Medicale) [i.e., Principles of Medical Deontology]. Preface by Hovhannes Artinian, Vahram H. Torkomian.

HAYKAKAN BJSHKAKAN MIUT’YUN [ARMENIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION].

Haykakan Bjshkakan Miut'yun, Kosdandinopolis (Constantinople), 1914.

Original greenish wrappers. Foolscap 8vo. (17 x 12 cm). In Armenian. 5 p. Heavily chipped on the extremities of the front cover, missing half of the rear cover. Occasional fading. Overall, a fair and complete copy.

Extremely rare and unrecorded first and only edition of the deontology regulation issued by the first Armenian physicians’ society in the Ottoman Empire. Discussed from the society’s founding in 1912 and published during the two-term presidency of Dr. Madteosyan, the regulation defines medical ethics in nineteen articles, addressing consultation protocols, bedside conduct and professional behaviour in private practice, surgical decision-making, the legal privileges of physicians serving official institutions and insurance medicine, the prohibition of advertising, and the arbitral role of the society’s honorary committee. The regulation aimed to establish clear standards of collegial conduct, eliminate tacit collusion incompatible with the noble ideals of the medical profession, and promote the fundamental principles of medical deontology among Armenian physicians. Prepared by the Armenian Medical Association in Istanbul and adopted at the session held from June 4-17.

Founded during one of the most turbulent periods in Armenian history, the Armenian Physicians' Society (1912-1922) emerged in the immediate aftermath of the Balkan Wars and began its activities under the growing shadow of war. During its first three years, the society voiced complaints that the Committee of Union and Progress and the Constitutional regime failed to implement in practice the proclaimed principles of equality, freedom, and justice, and that Armenian physicians were subjected to discrimination and denied fair evaluation of their professional qualifications. Soon after its establishment, the society found itself engulfed by the First World War, with devastating consequences for the Armenian community. The Armenian deportations initiated as state policy in 1915 had particularly severe repercussions for the society and its members; among the founding members, Dr. Nazaret Dağavaryan was killed during the deportations.

Under the conditions of the First World War, the society was banned in 1915, as the contributions of its member physicians during the Balkan Wars were disregarded. This prohibition remained in force until 1919, when the society resumed its activities under the leadership of Dr. Vahram Torkomyan.

Throughout its existence, the society provided medical and financial assistance to the Red Crescent, the Armenian Red Cross, churches, the Patriarchate, the First Republic of Armenia, schools, various organizations, orphanages, and victims of disasters in Cilicia under extremely difficult conditions. Through the efforts of the society and its constituent Armenian physicians, significant roles were undertaken in healing the wounds of the Armenian people emerging from the events of 1915, restoring hope, and supporting their recovery and survival into the future. (Yarman).

As of January 2026, we couldn’t trace any copies worldwide.