Contra el cólera, plegarias: Creencias, comportamientos y epidemias en Puerto Rico, 1855

Abstract

The representation of illness as divine punishment is studied analyzing sources pertaining to the cholera epidemic of November 1855, in Puerto Rico. Although the established Nineteenth Century medical discourse emphasized the miasmatic and contagion theory as its origins, the greater part of the population considered the cause of such terrible evil as God‘s punishment for their sins. This collective belief propitiated the celebration of public prayers and other religious activities to end the epidemic. However, beyond such rites, a sense of solidarity and mutual assistance to safeguard the health of the individuals and the community becomes evident.