[The first three hospitals in Oaxaca City, Mexico]

The first hospitals of Oaxaca City were San Cosme and San Damián Hospital, Santa Caterina Hospital, and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Hospital; the foundation and operation of the hospitals were linked to the Catholic Church. The hospitals were created during colonial times. The hospitals disappeared at the end of the XVIII century and the beginning of the XIX century due to financial problems, political situations and disgrace of the religious orders. The hospitals took care of the sick, the poor and the homeless. Patients were treated with prayers, penitences, and vegetal, animal and mineral products.