Epidemics, Institutions, and the State. Health in Santiago de Chile, 1810–1842

Abstract

Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic has generated a new interest in the history of health. In Chile and other parts of the world, search for answers regarding societies that have dealt with epidemics reminds us that contagions have been a part of our history and that there is a close relationship between disease and the State. Development: We studied the public dimension of health in Santiago de Chile between 1810 and 1842, mainly considering the responses of the State and its institutions toward epidemic out-breaks. In addition, we reviewed the scarlet fever, smallpox, and erysipelas epidemics, as these were the diseases that triggered an institutional response. Conclusion: The appearance of these epidemic outbreaks signified that the State, through institutions such as the Protomedicato, Junta de Sanidad, Junta de Beneficencia, or Junta de Vacuna, articulated a sanitary response that focused on improving the hygienic conditions of the city. At the same time, epidemic outbreaks also showed the public dimension of a disease and the State’s capacity to implement specific measures to cope with the ravages of epidemics.