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Introduction: Long before the foundation of the Medical Society of Vojvodina (MSV) of the Serbian Medical Society (SMS), health professionals of Vojvodina had initiated formation of medical societies. In the mid-18th century, after the liberation from the Turkish rule. there were few educated physicians, so surgeons and barbers were responsible for public health care. Like other craftsmen, they organized their guilds (esnafs), and one of the most famous was the Guild of Surgeons in Novi Sad., Medical Societies in Vojvodina: The first professional medical society in Vojvodina, the Medical Society of Banat, Backa and Baranja, was founded on November 19, 1919. Since that time, and due to political circumstances, the society has changed its name to the Medical Society of Vojvodina of the Serbian Medical Society (SMS), but its aims have virtually remained the same., Medical Journals in Vojvodina: This paper also reviews the history of medical journalism in Vojvodina, including the present journal of the MSV - SMS, Medical Review, which is due to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008. Taking into account the historical context and the continuity of work, the year 1919 is the year of the foundation of the first society of physicians in Vojvodina, and it should be considered when celebrating the society's anniversary.

Dr. Vladan Djordjević (1844-1930) gave a number of contributions to the Serbian Medical Society. He was the main founder of the Society and its journal "Serbian Archive of Medicine", he was the editor-in-chief of the first book of "Archive", edited in 1874, he published a number of books and his own translations in the "Archive" editions, he was the secretary, vice-president and president of the Society, he secured a regular support from the Duke, later King, Milan to the Society, and so on. However, his professional and scientific contributions to the success of the Society meetings were hardly written about at all. An analysis of the records from the Society meetings, which were written regularly and in detail, showed that Dr. Vladan Djordjević, particularly during the first few years from the foundation, presented a number of clinically interesting and rare cases, took part in discussions about his college presentations and papers about a number of operative procedures he performed in Belgrade city hospital, military hospital and in private homes. His presentations, papers and discussions doubtlessly show very good knowledge of medicine, an analytical approach and above all his great devotion to the Serbian Medical Society goals. In this paper, we have tried to throw more light on his professional contribution to the Serbian Medical Society.

The aim of this paper is to critically summarize and present insufficiently known data on medical corps conditions within Serbia after the Second Serbian Uprising (1815) and before founding the Serbian Medical Society in 1872. By the middle of 19th century, there came the first educated doctors of medicine to Serbia, followed by the Serbian doctors from out of Serbia, and, very soon, the Serbian doctors of medicine. The first hospitals were opened shortly afterwards followed by a long process of formation of medical corps mainly due to the lack of understanding and poverty. The doctors, however, as European students, got the most important role in establishing the first professional and humanitarian associations. Proposed by Doctor Vladan Dordević, the first Serbian Medical Society was founded in 1872, in the very same year as the German Society. At the same time, the Journal of the Serbian Medical Society (the Serbian Archives of Medicine) was launched and its first issue published in 1874. The Serbian Red Cross was founded in 1876. It was by founding of these societies that Serbia proved itself capable of keeping pace with the most developed European countries.

In the second half of the last century and under the influence of the European civilization, Serbia abandoned the conservative and patriarchal way of life and began to introduce a new, contemporary political, cultural and social spirit into the country. The development of these civilizing features was under the influence of young intelectuals who, as former scholarship holders of the Serbian government, were educated in many European countries. Among them, there was a group of physicians who returned to the country after having completed their education. They were carriers and holders of the contemporary medical science in Serbia and the neighbouring areas. On April 22, 1872 a group of 15 physicians founded the Serbian Medical Society with the intention to offer an organized medical help and care to the population. The first president was Dr. Aćim Medović and the first secretary Dr. Vladan Dordević. At the meeting held on May 15, 1872 the text of the Statute of the Society was accepted and immediately submitted for approval to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the letter addressed to the minister of internal affairs the following reasons were cited: "... The Belgrade physicians feeling a need for having the main office for their professional and scientific meetings, for which they will find the opportunity and the funds, and in spite of their hard medical labor which requires almost all their time, decided to establish the Serbian Medical Society because they wish to be in trend and follow-up the medical progress and exchange the latest medical information not only among them but also with other graduated doctors living in areas with the Serblan population as well as with all scientists who are willing to contribute to the development of medical science in Serbia...". In the first year of its existence the Serbian Medical Society had 9 regular members, 1 honorary member and 34 corresponding members from Serbia, Slavic and other foreign countries. On August 5, 1872 it was decided to start the publication of a professional journal "Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo" (Serbian Archives of General Medicine). The journal has still been edited. On suggestion of the Serbian Medical Society the Law of Health Care was promulgated in 1881. It was translated into German and French languages and sent to about 400 addresses in different European countries with the request for their opinion and suggestion. The reply of the Vienna Medical Society was as follows: "... While the Austrians carry out some stupid regulations of health care, at the same time a small Balkan country, Serbia promulgated a Law according to which no one, including the King, the Government or a political party dare not use a cent intended for health service, treatment of the sick people and payment of physicians...". On the occasion of the centenary of the First Serbian insurrection and coronation ceremonies of the King Petar I Karadjordjević, and under the King's patronage, the First Congress of Serbian physicians and naturalists was organized from 5 to 7 September 1904. There were 433 participants of whom more than 100 foreign participants. A Serbian professor of infectious diseases at the University School of Medicine in Vienna, Dr. Jovan Cokor, presented a paper with results of his studies of tuberculosis according to which tuberculosis could be transmitted from a sick cow to man; in this way he complemented the results and explanations of Dr. Robert Koch who discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 1907 the Serbian Medical Society organized in Belgrade the First meeting of Yugoslav surgeons. At that time, the foundation of a University school of medicine was planned. The Serbian Red Cross Organization was initiated by the Serbian Medical Society in 1876. On February 2, 1891 a procedure was brought for the establishment of the Medical Chamber. Its activity began in 1901. During the First and Second world wars the activity of the Serbian Medical Society was di