Abstract

BEJARANO-RODRIGUEZ, Cristhian-Fabián. Inoculation, Hygienic Policies and Intensity of Smallpox Epidemics of 1782-1783 and 1802 in Santafé, Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada. Historelo.rev.hist.reg.local [online]. 2023, vol.15, n.34, pp.128-166.  Epub Mar 14, 2024. ISSN 2145-132X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/historelo.v15n34.102738.

The epidemics that spread in Santafé -actual Bogotá- during 1782-1783 and 1802, despite having been caused by the same disease, smallpox, differed in their impact on mortality. The first event was very close to being considered a demographic catastrophe, while the mortality recorded in 1802 was characterized as a minor crisis. Using parish sources, we located the seasonality and measure the intensity of both epidemics; on the other hand, we studied the hygienic strategies developed by the local authorities during both events through archival and printed sources. It is argued that the hygienic policies promoted in the city after the crisis of 1782-1783, inspired by the miasmatic-humoral paradigm -pavement of the streets, construction of ditches, cemeteries, among other public constructions-, and the promotion of inoculation or variolization among the population, were essential in the attempt to reduce the lethality of epidemics, particularly smallpox, as happened during 1802.

Keywords : epidemics; smallpox, inoculation; hygienism; mortality; miasmas.

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