City doctors as agents of the Chilean' State: Material conditions, professional functions, and administrative procedures in the La Araucanía (1887-1910)

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the presence and performance of city and provincial physicians in La Araucanía, as state officials in the service of territorial control. We will focus our work on the Province of Cautin, particularly in the department of Temuco, between 1887 and 1910, also considering since 1860. The periodisation criterion corresponds to the foundation of the province and the availability of sources from the Regional Archive of La Araucanía (Intendancy and Judicial Fund). In an exploratory exercise, we will analyze these physicians from three dimensions: functions and salary, professional performance, and social status.