Health workers in Murcia during de 18th Century. Their number, evolution and distribution

Abstract

A study of the health workers pattern in the communities of Murcia and Carta­gena along the 18th century is made as a representative pattern for the rest of the present Region of Murcia. The Chapters of both city halls are used as a source of the current study as well. as some bundles of documents that were found in their re­cords. Upon a perusal of the applications for practice that were tendered it was noti­ceable that the number of inscriptions was specifically related to certain economical and social factors quite unconnected with the size of the population available for ca­re, this last variable having indeed borne more influence on the number of under­qualified professionals (bleeders) registered than on the rest. It was also noted that the average active life of each professional type was different too, that the geographi­cal origin varied also according to the professional category and, finally, that Murcia did not act as a centre of attraction for professionals from outside its boundaries.