[Contributions to the history of foundation and development of physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Serbia].

It is widely accepted that rehabilitation, as a new scientific discipline, was initiated by the foundation of the National Institute for Rehabilitation in Sokobanjska St. 13. However, the available data do not support this assumption. According to the article 23 of the Law on the Sanitary Code and Public Health, brought by the Serbian Principality in March of 1881, institutions for treating the sick and care for the incurable and disabled were to be provided. Numerous activities foreseen by laws of that time can be defined today as occupational and functional work therapy, as well as professional rehabilitation. Thus, there was a positive and truly humane attitude towards the disabled, resulting in better treatment outcome, less adverse events, with the aim of better professional education and training for occupational opportunities. Health-care centers of Serbia used to apply physical methods: electrotherapy, massage and physical training, documented in Serbian archives from 1888. The above mentioned data show that we have every right to be proud of the history of our profession.