Social-oriented activity of Simbirsk zemstvo

Using the archival materials the author analyses the activity of Simbirsk Zemstvo on development of the institute of public medicine, care of abandoned children, disabled persons and senior citizens. The particular attention is given to the problem of charity towards rural population in case of crop failure and natural disasters and towards the protective treatment against impoverishment and funds for pensioners. The author considers the social support measures for lower ranks families during Russian-Turkish (1877-1878), Russian-Japanese (1904-1905) wars and World War I.