A Colonial Diary Reveals the Agony of Epidemic
A haunting letter from 18th century Mexico reveals the devastation of epidemics. Carlos, struck by typhus, pleads for help as priests fall ill and communities struggle to cope. His story, preserved in colonial archives, offers a glimpse into a time of disease, despair, and enduring hope.
During the colonial period in New Spain, several epidemics struck the population. Some diseases responsible for the catastrophic epidemics were known as tabardetes, tabardillo, matlasagua or typhoid, which severely affected the population from the 17th century until the beginning of the 19th century.
One of the main documentary sources that narrate what happened are the records of parish activities and letters addressed to the ecclesiastical authorities or to the king. These documents contain crucial information to understand the magnitude of the events. Through these records, it is possible to observe that priests played a crucial role in the intervention and management of the disease, which was essential to maintain activities in the provinces.
