[The empacho in Mexico during the nineteenth century]

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Gastroenterology
• Ethnomedicine

Background:

• Empacho was recognized as a distinct nosological entity in 19th-century Mexico.
• Academic research was conducted by prominent Mexican clinicians during this period.

Observation:

• Empacho is associated with excessive food intake or digestive difficulty, particularly with fruits and legumes.
• It predominantly affects children under two years old.
• Clinical signs include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, restlessness, distension, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and meteorism.

Findings:

• 19th-century treatments aimed at immediate gastrointestinal content evacuation via emesis or purgatives.
• Popular treatments utilized medicinal plants for purging.
• Medical practitioners favored castor oil for laxation and ipecacuanha for emesis.

Implications:

• This historical analysis provides insights into the understanding and management of a common gastrointestinal ailment.
• The study highlights the intersection of popular remedies and academic medical practices in the 19th century.
• Understanding historical conditions like empacho informs contemporary perspectives on pediatric gastrointestinal health and cultural medicine.