Perez Vega Ivette
Center of Historic Investigations, Department of History, Humanity Faculty, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.
Bol Asoc Med P R. 2009 Oct-Dec;101(4):57-64.
At the beginning of the 19th Century, there was a "chronic lack of physicians, medications, and hospital facilities, easily overwhelmed epidemics" in Puerto Rico. But, the arrival of newcomers from various parts of the world to the Island contributed to socio-economic development and the improvement of health conditions and health care. The Wars of Independence throughout Spanish American colonies (1808-1826), resulted in population movements into the Island, particularly from Tierra Firme (Venezuela), as well as from Spain (1808-1814). In 30 years the population doubled. Puerto Rico had 44 physicians, 13 pharmacists, and 45 "curanderos" or "healers"; the municipality of Ponce had 6 physicians and 2 pharmacists. The progress made by the southern society was remarkable. Those arriving from Venezuela were at the time the most benefited of the Spanish emigrants. They were educated people mastering languages, commerce, agriculture, science and medicine. This, in turn, stimulated progress, and economic and social wellbeing in Puerto Rico.
19世纪初，波多黎各“长期缺乏医生、药品和医院设施，疫情极易失控”。但是，来自世界各个地区的新移民抵达该岛，推动了社会经济发展，改善了健康状况和医疗保健水平。整个西班牙美洲殖民地（1808 - 1826年）的独立战争导致人口涌入该岛，特别是来自 Tierra Firme（委内瑞拉）以及西班牙（1808 - 1814年）的人口。30年间，人口翻了一番。波多黎各有44名医生、13名药剂师和45名“curanderos”（治疗师）；庞塞市有6名医生和2名药剂师。南方社会取得的进步显著。当时，来自委内瑞拉的移民是西班牙移民中受益最大的群体。他们受过教育，精通语言、商业、农业、科学和医学。这反过来又促进了波多黎各的进步以及经济和社会福祉。
