Fiebres, arroz e insalubridad: el caso del Ampurdán (1783-1787)

Malaria fevers have often been associated throughout history with the effects of human activities on pre-existing environmental conditions in the regions where they have occurred. Therefore, in this paper we analyze the environmental causes that characterize malaria endemic regions such as the Ampurdan region (NE Iberian Peninsula), where already before the 18th century, but especially in the 19th century, intensive rice cultivation was extended. Also, it is necessary to consider the conditions of hygiene and lack of it that could propitiate or increase the effects of the epidemics of fevers in the population. On the other hand, we will analyze the different curative methods used by two medical correspondents of the Real Academia Medico-Practica de Barcelona , whose testimonies are framed in the context of the malaria epidemic that devastated the Iberian Peninsula, between 1783 and 1786.