Medical knowledge and Enlightened Reform: Antônio Nunes Ribeiro Sanches and public health policies in Portugal (1750 - 1792)

• Grant number: 16/08912-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 04, 2016
• End date: November 18, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - Modern and Contemporary History
• Principal Investigator: Leila Mezan Algranti
• Grantee: Julie Hamacher Liepkaln
• Supervisor: Tiago Costa Pinto dos Reis Miranda
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Évora, Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/12022-4 - Medical knowledge and Enlightened Reform: Antônio Nunes Ribeiro Sanches and public health policies in Portugal (1750 - 1792), BP.MS

Abstract

This work aims to study the relationship between medical science and political power in Portugal during Pombal and Marian periods. Based on the analysis of the Portuguese physician Antonio Nunes Ribeiro Sanches' writings, we intend to investigate how their reformist proposals were appropriate and how they engendered measures to the protection of the health of Portugal's population. In this sense, the "Intendência Geral da Polícia" is a relevant institution to our research, since it was responsible for implementation of public health policies. Therefore, we will inquire into the enlightened context, looking at the scientific sociability and the discussions about the potential uses of scientific knowledge. The personal documents of the Portuguese physician and letters exchanged with his interlocutors bring valuable information about his reformist speech. Add to that the decrees and ordinances of the "Intendência Geral da Polícia", that are essential to think about the several measures aimed to the maintenance of health. Besides those sources we will critically examine the Jornal Enciclopédico dedicado à Rainha N. Senhora, popular science journal and an illustrated public opinion's support. Articulating Sanches' proposals with the implemented efforts of the "Intendência Geral da Polícia" - specially those which planned for the control of medical activity -, we aim to understand how the protection of public health associated questions of scientific order - the consolidation of medical knowledge as a science - and political order - the power strengthening of Portugal's monarchy.