Some aspects of early developments in occupational health care in the German mining industry

From 850 AD onwards underground mining in Germany has been discussed in anc ient documents. Since the early Middle Ages mining regulations in Germany c ontain also rules for the health and social welfare of the miners and their families. The development of this specific health care system in the time between the 12th and the 19th centuries will be discussed, as well as the i nfluence of some of the most important members of the medical scientific co mmunity in Germany in these times.