The yellow fever epidemic and the role of pharmacists (Rio de Janeiro, 1849-1850)

Abstract

In studies on the yellow fever epidemic in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the mid-19th century, one of the most discussed topics is the collaboration between physicians and the imperial government in creating sanitary measures. Although these studies indicate that the epidemic was decisive for the consolidation of medical authority in relation to other healing activities, one of the less explored subjects is how pharmacists also took advantage of this epidemic scenario to argue in favor of the authority of the qualified pharmacy professional. In this sense, grounded in the historiography of pharmacy history, which examines the social role of the pharmacist and the man-medicine relationship over time, this article analyzes how pharmacists leveraged the yellow fever epidemic to establish themselves as an autonomous class and contribute to the organization of the pharmaceutical market, through the elaboration of specific regulations for the operation of pharmacies.