A Varíola nos tempos de Dom Pedro II

Abstract

Ao assumir o trono em 1840, D. Pedro II comprometeu-se a consolidar um país novo e repleto de problemas, que incluíam os cuidados à saúde de sua crescente população. Dentre os flagelos presentes estava a varíola. Possivelmente originária da Índia, em sua marcha galopante a doença alcançara o Novo Mundo a bordo de caravelas e galeões. Vitimou a população colonial brasileira em surtos recorrentes que se perpetuaram durante o período imperial. A despeito da descoberta da vacina e dos esforços governamentais, a varíola foi uma das responsáveis pelos altos índices de morbi-mortalidade brasileira durante o século XIX. Insinuou-se no flagelo de uma seca avassaladora no Ceará; matou em São Paulo, que vivenciava através da comercialização do café, um progresso jamais experimentado; e contribuiu para um panorama ainda mais triste nos sangrentos campos da Guerra do Paraguai. A luta contra a varíola mostrou-se inglória no Brasil Império. A grande extensão territorial e conseqüentes dificuldades de comunicação, além de uma grande resistência popular, contribuíram para o fracasso da vacinação, cujas repercussões seriam sentidas no século XX.

After his coronation as Emperor of Brazil, D. Pedro II aimed to build a new country, and to improve its infrastructure. However, Brazil had many problems, including the health care of its growing population. Among the many endemic disease, smallpox was one of the major problems. The disease was possibly originated in India, and in its rampant march, smallpox reached the New World aboard the caravels and galleons. Many people were their victims during Brazil’s colonial ages, with recurring outbreaks perpetuated during Imperial period. Despite of the discovery of the vaccine and government efforts, smallpox was one of the reasons for the high morbidity and mortality in Brazil during the XIX century. The disease crept into a devastating drought in Ceará, multiplying the deaths there; killed in São Paulo, thwarting the never seen progress brought by the commercialization of coffee; and contributed to an even sadder scene during the bloody war against Paraguay. The fight against smallpox proved inglorious in Brazil. The large territory, leaing to difficulties of communication, as well as a great popular resistance against the vaccine contributed to the immunization’s failure. Its repercussions would be felt in well into the XX century.