Limpiando el cuerpo y el alma. Higiene y control social en Medellín al iniciar el siglo XX

Abstract

This article is intended to show some of the social changes seen in Medellin by the end of the 19th century and early in the 20th century, a moment when the city experienced a process of urban growth not seen before that resulted in the progressive adjustment of new organisms and institutions intended to meet economic and social requirements that were also increasing. Organizing and cleaning urban spaces, according to the ideas of city and citizen being implemented in Europe at that time, were some of the goals set to plan the city and an attempt to mitigate the impact of demographic growth –that was experiencing social difficulties. Charity homes, mental institutions, orphanages, hospitals, prisons, non-profit organizations, theatres, universities, among others, were some of the choices created to prevent such problems and intended to moralize, distract, and punish the actions then seen by elite groups as an improper behavior.