Abstract

FIERROS HERNANDEZ, Arturo. ^{The historical context of diseases and sanitary practices in the Californias during the 19th century}. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2016, vol.37, n.146, pp.13-45. ISSN 2448-7554.

This text examines the topic of diseases in the Californias in the 19th century; specifically, the introduction of sanitary practices as one cultural expression of the modern discourse elaborated to combat illnesses. The first section reviews the fundamental components of our analysis; that is, the key factors in the emergence of diseases, including geography and society, as well as their trajectories of development. The second part contextualizes the measures implemented by different governments in the 19th century to confront diseases at the macro and micro levels. Finally, the essay analyzes the period known in historiography as the Porfiriato, which was characterized, in part, by the application of programs on the Peninsula of California designed to foster the development of public hygiene as a means of preventing and combatting diseases.

Keywords : history; diseases; public hygiene; Baja California; Baja California Sur; modernization.