THE TRAJECTORY OF DR. BEZERRA DE MENEZES: THE DOCTOR OF THE INSANE AND OBSESSED

Abstract

The character became a well-known politician in Rio de Janeiro, an eminent writer, a recognized scientist and is still revered today as a great disseminator of the Spiritist religion, having converted in 1875. Bezerra de Menezes became famous for his studies, publications and medical work in cases of madness, opposing hygienist medicine, coming to be identified as "the doctor of the poor". His publications are frequently republished and served as a basis for numerous Spiritist establishments that attend to madness during the twentieth century.