Water and Urban Hygiene. Ditch Management and Epidemics in Santiago de Chile (1880-1910)

Abstract

This article studies the relationship between irrigation ditches, urban hygiene and epidemics that affected the Province of Santiago in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth. It characterizes the living conditions and ways of life of its inhabitants, analyzes the factors that impacted the hygiene of the ditches and examines water management in a broad sense. It also considers the reaction of the Chilean state and Santiago society to the risk of cholera and bubonic plague. The sources that support this work emanate from the Intendencia de Santiago, testimonies of professionals and press of the time.