La ciudad ante el contagio: medidas políticas y administrativas dictadas en la epidemia de fiebre amarilla de 1804 en Alicante

Abstract

Since 1800 the yellow fever started producing epidemic incidents in the Iberian Peninsula. In this article the measures that were established by the different sanitary assemblies implied in the control of the epìdemic outbreak that affected the city of Alicante in 1804 are shown and analysed. The study of this case in Alicante has allowed to put in context this analysis in the framework of what happened in other places during this and other epidemies. It is proved the coexistence of traditional measures of prevention and of new ones. The political and sanitary speech focused on assuring the isolation of the population affected in order to avoid the spreading of this disease and to extend it as long as possible, as a quarantee for the surrounding cities.