The Spanish flu epidemic: A challenge to Bahian medicine

Abstract

The article describes the moment when the medical and health authorities of Bahia state (Brazil) faced the challenge of explaining an illness that was spreading with unexpected vinilency throught the world, provoking much uncertainty and controversy among the global academic and scientific community concerning the diagnosis and etiology of the disease. It analyzes the Bahian medical establishment's stance within these discussions and the scientific knowledge used by medics to explain the epidemic and to recommend therapeutic and prophylactic measures.