perdomo

Sowell (history, Juniata College, Huntington, Pennsylvania) has reconstructed Perdono’s life using research sources that include contemporary newspapers, pamphlet testimonials of his supporters, and judicial, notarial, and municipal archives. Although Perdono is the central subject of this fascinating study, chapters consider the larger issues that surrounded him, including the practice of scientific medicine and its introduction into Colombia and Ecuador; the conflicts between scientific and Hispanic (native) medicine; and the ideological contentions visible in Perdomo’s life, including the social power of healing and the emergence of medical pluralism. Translations of the testimonials are provided in an appendix. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)