A aritmetica da saúde na Encyclopedie de Diderot e D'Alembert

Abstract

The Encyclopedie,work of greater importance in the diffusion of Enlightment,was develloped with the contribution of several physicians, which emphasize their concerns about individuals and populations health. In the eighteenth century, primacy of science is stated as a new truth criterion. Intellectuals of Enlightment strengthened the value reason, rather than religious' belief, as a faculty capable of leading to knowledge. It is than observed great stimulus on studying "nature" through the path of reason. Enlightment also brings forth its tnesis on "human nature", and this belief became condition of the possibility for the discussion of what is like or unlike such "human nature". On criticizing seventeenth century's society, as to provoke changes in the world, physicians and phylosophers show their concerns about childhood, parentless children, motherly milk - feeding, mother's behavior and nourishers restraint - all relevant subjects, as well as of population's interest. As a matter of fact, population starts then to be considered as nation's richness source. Yet in the second half of the eighteenth century, hospital is medicalized. As a place of healing, it will pass through disciplinary changes, thus showing a new spatial distribution. The previously present "crisis doctrine" is then exceeded by last century's arisen classificatory medical science - in spite of some remaining hypocratic precepts. It is then engendered a new medical vocabulary, raised the value of physiology as a human body physics, as well as stimulated interferences in "nature". Therefore, one could undoubdtedly say that a new management concerning life, death and reproduction is being asserted.