«Por el peligro que le amenazaba»: bautismos de socorro y mortalidad infantil en la diócesis de Lugo.

Notas acerca de la edición de Santiago Martínez Hernández

Abstract

Infant mortality was a pervasive reality in early modern Galicia, Spain, profoundly impacting family dynamics and societal attitudes. Drawing from parish records spanning the 17th to 19th centuries, this study examines the prevalence of emergency baptisms administered to newborns at risk of death and explores the factors contributing to infant mortality rates. The analysis reveals a significant correlation between emergency baptisms and infant mortality, with high-risk periods occurring during childbirth and the immediate postnatal period. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, including limited access to medical care and prevailing religious beliefs, influenced the frequency of emergency baptisms. While advancements in obstetrics and hygiene contributed to declining mortality rates in the late 18th and 19th centuries, challenges persisted in rural areas due to a shortage of medical professionals. The study underscores the complex interplay between religion, healthcare practices, and demographic trends in shaping infant mortality patterns in early modern Galicia.