Entre o cuidar e o curar: as Irmãs de Jesus na Santíssima Eucaristia e a Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (1929-1950)

Abstract

Our work is the result of research carried out on the activities of the nuns of the congregation of the Sisters of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist in the Holy House of Mercy of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim between the years 1929 to 1950. The starting date refers to the moment when the nuns took over the internal administration of the institution, acting in the direction of sectors such as laundry, laundry, operating room, maternity and kitchen. Although they did not possess nursing technical knowledge, they acted as such in the daily life of the hospital. The period of 1950 refers to the moment when the religious women cease to administer the hospital.The work of the religious with the sick was a missionary service, aimed at caring for others, in a humanitarian attitude of respect for human dignity. In addition to body care, they were concerned about the spiritual life of both the sick and the family and hospital staff.The period in which the Sisters joined the Santa Casa coincides with several transformations in the field of Public Health and professionalization of nursing in Brazil. Nursing schools were created to train professionals who worked with the sick. Such professionals have to adapt to the various determinations of the health organs to continue to perform their functions.The Superior of the congregation sent some sisters to these schools in order to qualify and continue to serve as nurses. Also, over the years the demand for care increased significantly in the hospital, leading to an increase in the number of employees. During this period, people came to the institution with very different experiences and experiences, from that of the nuns.The new determinations of the Public Health organs, the insertion of lay professionals in the wards of Santa Casa de Cachoeiro and the differences between the secular and religious universe, contributed to the fact that in 1950 the Sisters of Jesus ceased to administer the hospital. However, the contribution of such sisters to the history of Santa Casa and the municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim is undeniable.