Folk medicine and heritage: European Healing in Buenos Aires (1870-1940)

Abstract

The following research work seeks to demonstrate how the construction of Argentinean folk medicine, particularly in the province of Buenos Aires, is the result of a transfer of European traditions. In particular, we focus on the contributions of Spanish and Italian folk medicine. We affirm that this body of knowledge is worth working on and studying, as it forms part of the intangible heritage of health. Unfortunately, in Argentina there are not many studies that consider folk medicine as part of the intangible heritage. And when they talk about heritage, they only refer to the indigenous tradition, omitting the contributions of European culture. We seek to highlight the relevance of this knowledge and contribute to its enhancement through the analysis of diverse documentation such as court records, medical journals, folkloric documentation, literature, among others.