Healthiness and disease in Marmato gold mines during the 19th century: Between the smallpox plague and the War of a Thousand Days.

Mining has had a great influence on human societies permeating the riches of the soil and culture in equal proportion. This has led to profound changes in the individuals dedicated to this work and the locations where it takes place. In this historical review, we describe the socio-cultural and health characteristics, as well as the diseases associated with gold mining in Marmato (Caldas) during the 19th century. Poor salubrity conditions and tropical and infectious diseases were constant during the whole century.