Santa Teresa and Don Pedrito Curanderos of the Borderlands
Jennifer Seman’s book, “Borderlands and Curanderos” is perhaps one of the finest examples of a microhistory one can get. This novel describes the lives and healing practices of Don Pedrito Jaramillo (Don) and Santa Teresa Urrea (Teresa). Seman discusses their use of medicinal herbs, plants, prayers, and other healing practices that could be considered “questionable” by many modern day doctors. Though, some doctors did believe in the healing powers of these Curanderos. For example, there was a Dr. Strickland that covered a lot of the same area that Don covered. This doctor was asked about the validity of Don’s healing and he stated, “Now, how do I know that Don Pedrito’s prayers don’t do more good than my pills” (119)? Those other doctors that sought to denounce Don’s healing practices were no doubt denouncing it not because of their heart for the people, but for financial reasons. Don Pedrito did not ask for compensation for his services. It is important to recall that many people in the borderlands region were extremely poor and could not afford medical services. Why would they go and pay what little bit of income they had to a doctor, when they could receive equal free services from Don?
The dean of the medical department at Tulane in 1905 wrote that “alternative doctors and quacks were the greatest foe to the medical profession” (120). It is easy to imagine from a medical professionals point of view how much of a threat these faith healers were to the medical profession — patient loss which equals income loss was a real threat!
The American Medical Association (AMA) was formed in 1847. This institutions purpose was discredit homeopaths. The first order of business of the AMA was educate people on the “dangerous treatments of homeopaths and other quack practitioners” (61). Seman further mentions that many of the homeopaths got formal training and became certified homeopaths. It was judged by the scientific knowledge at the time that homeopaths ways were no better or worse than scientific medicine at that time. In the 1840’s schools and hospitals were established by homeopaths and were frequented by such famous individuals as John D. Rockefeller, President James Garfield, and Mexican Revolutionary Francisco Madero. Seman states that “like Teresa Urrea, Madero eventually became a practicing Spiritist medium” (61).
Seman’s book focuses primarily on the lives and practices of Don Pedro and Teresa Urrea. There are other slight mentions of what was going on in the world during this time, such as the formation of AMA (61) and the 1915 Plan de San Diego uprising (128). Additionally, there is a mention of Anglo Americans viewed “Mexican’s as a health hazard and a threat to the white race” (129). However, the main focus of this book is the curanderos, their practices and the issues (spiritual and political) they had to endure. For example, their practices being questioned by medical professionals and other non-spiritual people questioning them.
Seman, J. K. (2021). Borderlands Curanderos: The worlds of santa teresa urrea and Don Pedrito Jaramillo. University of Texas Press.
