Public Health
The Second Spanish Republic had to tackle many public health challenges, including alcoholism, hygiene, mental health, prostitution, and venereal diseases.
After the coup of July 1936, the Republican government lost a large part of its military medical structure and had to redeploy civilian doctors to meet demand, without abandoning the Republic's public health policies.
Attention! Venereal diseases... (Circa 1937) by Rivero GilPablo Iglesias Foundation
Public health propaganda
Due to illiteracy levels among the population, posters were a fundamental tool in the fight against venereal diseases. Images—direct and sincere—were the best weapon for raising awareness. It is important to note that antivenereal publicity was typical of the Republic.
The images on antivenereal posters associated women with death, considering them the only ones responsible for transmitting these diseases.
A life has been born to you... (Circa 1937) by UnknownPablo Iglesias Foundation
Prostitution
During the Second Spanish Republic, a law abolishing prostitution was passed with the aim of improving equality between men and women, and the dignity that women had. Sadly, during the war, conditions for sex workers worsened as a result of economic and material hardship.
Posters about prostitution showed the women as having menacing, almost inhuman, bodies, in contrast to other posters on different themes. This was a way of conveying a sense of danger to the person looking at the poster.
The book... (Circa 1937) by BardasanoPablo Iglesias Foundation
Rear-guard hospitals
An initial lack of military medical support led parties, syndicates, and local committees to set up hospitals (many of them at the rear guard) in which the wounded could convalesce. The Republic's cultural policy to promote reading also applied to public health.
Soldier... (1937) by PenagosPablo Iglesias Foundation
Alcoholism
One of the main consequences of the stress caused by the war was the hundreds of thousands of cases of alcoholism. Alcohol was a cheap means of escape from the tensions of combat, which affected military and civilians alike.
Alcohol was one of the primary causes of psychological afflictions. It was also seen to be an invigorating tonic, and was often considered an indispensable part of people's diets.
Pro mental hygiene.... (Circa 1936) by TonoPablo Iglesias Foundation
Mental health
Mental health care, which was worse than for other illnesses, focused on the issues caused by alcoholism and other drug abuse during the civil war.
Shell shock, which had already been identified in World War I, and the psychological impacts of combat (including fear, anger, and hysteria) were treated in the rear-guard hospitals that began to be established in the second year of the conflict.
With physical exercise... (Circa 1937) by MorellPablo Iglesias Foundation
Physical exercise
Sports and fitness were promoted by the Republican government during the civil war. These kinds of campaigns to promote sports, together with other literacy campaigns, supported the militarization and discipline of new soldiers.
To be more fit for fighting... (Circa 1937) by Hernanz - MelendrerasPablo Iglesias Foundation
Physical training known as Swedish gymnastics, involving light and moderate exercises without the need for equipment, was used to promote discipline by arranging those practicing it in columns or rows while they performed the exercises.
A strong and happy youth (Circa 1937) by PeinadorPablo Iglesias Foundation
The National Council of Physical Education and Sports (Consejo Nacional de Educación Física y Deportes) was created in May 1937 as part of the Ministry of Public Education. It was responsible for training teachers in physical education, with a special focus on the growth, hygiene, and vitality of children and young people.
