Agnieszka Danielewska (Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce) Epidemics and Infectious Diseases in Kielce in the Interwar Period Health conditions in Kielce in the interwar period were not good, although the situation in the city did not differ from the general norms prevailing in Poland. After World War I, due to poor hygienic and sanitary conditions, new epidemics would break out quickly. Some of them, decimating the population, were still being fought with during the military conflict. At the beginning of the 1920s, an epidemic of typhus proved to be most dangerous and therefore a special institution was established to deal with the disease. The spread of infectious diseases was favored by: extremely poor living conditions, density of population, failure to comply with basic rules of hygiene, ignoring symptoms of the disease and late reporting to specialists. Various events were organized in the city during which the inhabitants were educated on how to prevent epidemics. “Days of Cleanliness” and “Sanitary Days” were also organized. Kielce citizens were encouraged to keep their flats and properties in good order all year round. The public was also reached through leaflets, posters, brochures and films. Vaccinations were carried out to effectively fight against infectious diseases. Unfortunately, lack of money, organizational problems and insufficient health staff prevented the creation of assistance adequate to needs. Throughout the entire interwar period, Kielce inhabitants had to deal with poor hygienic and sanitary conditions as a result of which they suffered from typhoid, trachoma, dysentery, scarlet fever, diphtheria, whooping cough and tuberculosis. In terms of health, opening three clinics was an important undertaking in the history of Kielce. Patients’ families, especially their children, were also taken care of. Actions taken by administrative and self-government authorities aimed at reducing the incidence of serious infectious diseases integrated the society and contributed to improved infrastructure. Key words: Kielce, history, medicine, epidemics, diseases, health, wholesomeness, clinics