Medicine, empire and local processes in nineteenth century Goa

Abstract

This article aims to expand the scope of «Medicine and Empire» studies by introducing data and analysis regarding Portuguese colonialism and its medical services. The main focus is given to the role of the Medical School of Goa, India. Twentieth century literature refers to this institution as central to empire-building in Africa and Asia, suggesting that it may be understood as a «tool of empire». Nineteenth century sources, however, reveal a fragile institution that had little support of the central administration. Further analysis indicates that the Portuguese had little saying besides the formalities in which the School was wrapped; most of the action and decision making was taken by native Goans, whose early trajectories in Africa did not gather consensual support from the Portuguese colonial authorities. I argue that the Medical School of Goa was founded in 1842 not as an act of imperial administration - as the Portuguese had difficulties in erasing local medical practices by promoting European medicine - but in spite of it. Only towards the twentieth century, when the project of empire-building in Africa became central to the Portuguese, was the Medical School of Goa embraced by the central administration and Goan physicians appreciated for their work in the colonial health services.