The most significant difference of modern concept of public health drew a sharp dividing line between health and illness in the 19th century. This study while analysing a particular segment of vitalised discussions about public health in the 1870s, endeavours to discover the dimensions of modern concept of collectively determined health (i.e. public health) by primary sources that demonstrate the cultural significance of separation mentioned above. Defining health correlates with general order in the modern era of permanent contingency: controlled order arose as a most significant pledge of health related to the environment, culture and society. Our sources were published in "A Hon" the most important Hungarian press material in this regard of the 1870s.  Kulcsszavak: egészség, betegség, közegészségügy, biopolitika, sajtótörténet, médiatörténet