Portugal’s Contribution to Brazilian Medicine

Abstract

The historical and cultural past of Brazil portrays the entire process of the formation of Brazilian medicine and highlights Portugal’s contribution to its evolution. The arrival of the royal family in Brazil in 1808 marked a turning point in this trajectory, dividing it into two stages. The first stage deals with the healing practices carried out by the natives before the arrival of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500, followed by the colonial or Cabralian period, during which a medicine influenced by knowledge and practices from Portugal developed, coexisting with other practices exercised by indigenous shamans and African healers. The second stage saw the creation of the Surgical School of Bahia and the Anatomical, Surgical and Medical School of Rio de Janeiro by decision of the Prince Regent, D. João VI, thus institutionalizing official medicine in Brazil. These schools were transformed into Faculties of Medicine in 1832, continuing the trajectory of formal medical education in Brazil, in which Portugal played a significant role.