Introduction. The phenomenon of taking care of people in need has accompanied mankind since the beginning of its existence. However, it was Christian mercifulness which was the basis for the formation of the idea of taking care of the sick. For ages, Gdansk was the settlement of huge economic importance. Under the influence of reformation, a considerable part of its society started professing Protestantism. It caused the change of organisation of social help which, in consequence, had a remarkably different character than in Poland, dominated by Catholicism. Actions conducted in this area were equal to the most modern European solutions of that period. Aim. The aim of this paper was to present taking care the sick in early modern Gdansk held by secular care entrusted to carers which was later devolved to monastic people. Conclusions. Organized sick care in Gdansk was developing well because it was based on innovative ideas used in prosperous German cities. Because of the fact that too many unprepared people without vocation took care of the sick, the idea of devolving this care on lay sisters eventually arose.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (4): 517–522