Colonial Medicine

Colonial medicine refers to the medical practices and health policies implemented by colonial powers in their overseas territories during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It focused on controlling diseases and managing health to ensure the productivity and safety of colonial subjects and settlers. Techniques included vaccination, quarantine, and the establishment of hospitals, often prioritizing the needs of colonizers over indigenous populations. While it sometimes improved health conditions, it also reflected power imbalances, as it often disregarded traditional healing practices and contributed to surveillance and control of local populations.