РОЛЬ ЛЬВІВСЬКИХ ВЧЕНИХ У ПОДОЛАННІ ЕПІДЕМІЙ: РУДОЛЬФ ВАЙҐЛЬ ТА ГЕНРИК МОСІНГ.

The interconnectedness of the spread of epidemics of infectious diseases and military conflicts as a catalyst for the emergence, development, and spread of epidemic diseases is shown. In particular, it is noted that the typhus epidemic had five powerful waves in different periods of human existence, which each time combined with hostilities and ways of moving troops and took millions of lives. It is noted that the palm of supremacy in the search for ways to overcome typhus belongs to Lviv scientists Henryk Mossing and Rudolf Weigl. The identity of the priest, physician, and scientist Henryk Mossing and his contribution to the treatment of typhus, pediculosis, and the fight against other rickettsioses are investigated. He proved the effectiveness of butadione in the treatment of pediculosis and this scheme is still included in the relevant order of the Ministry of Health. It is shown that Mosing was also well acquainted with pharmaceuticals, made drugs for patients with oncology and epilepsy, and from the latter successfully treated children. Mosing’s pastoral activity in the Soviet Union in the Roman Catholic underground and his missionary work are also covered. It is investigated that Rudolf Weigl for the first time in the world invented a vaccine against epidemic typhus, and opened the way for its production and transfer to mass production. He also bred a new strain of Pedikulus vestimenti, most suitable for the production of typhus vaccine, invented the microagglutination reaction-Weigl reaction for laboratory diagnosis of typhus, and became one of the founders of the science of rickettsiology. It is concluded that H. Mosing and R. Weigl made an invaluable contribution to the world microbiological and medical science and contributed to the development of a separate field – rickettsiology. It is emphasized that the Lviv School of Biology and Microbiology still preserves the traditions established by these scientists. Thus, Ukrainian scientists have merited in the development of a vaccine against hepatitis B, invented an anticancer drug based on the properties of arginine, and on the way to the discovery of a vaccine against Covid-19 and its etiopathogenetic treatment.

 Rudolf Weigl, Henryk Mossing, epidemic, war, the Roman Catholic Church, the Soviet Union.