Portugal e as Conferências Sanitárias Internacionais (Em torno das epidemias oitocentistas de cholera-morbus)

Abstract

Among the 19th century epidemics that afflicted the European populations, cholera was the one that caused the most panic, in light of the lack of medical know-how and the incapacity of the States. Different countries adopted distinct measures to fight the epidemic. The economic impact of such divergence became a concern and from 1851 the European powers began meeting on a regular basis under International Health Conferences to discuss the nosology and standardisation of measures which would minimise the delays of international trade, without endangering the lives of the people. These debates denote changes in the scientific knowledge, and illustrate divergent and mutating national positions. The paper's purpose is not to monitor in detail the cholera epidemics, nor to carry out in depth analyses of the status quo of medical know how and different treatments prescribed in Portugal in the eighteen-hundreds. The following are the core issues raised: 1) Which position did Portugal adopt at the International Health Conferences in relation to the cholera epidemics?; 2) How were the policies adopted justified domestically and diplomatically?; 3) Which model and examples were followed in combating the epidemic?