Disease in the archives of Labor Courts in Pelotas,Southern Brazil, 1939-1954

This article discusses disease in the archives of the Pelotas labor court system between 1939 and 1954. Although occupational diseases were encompassed by laws on work-related accidents, which linked them to the regular judicial system, claims heard in labor courts related to multiple issues. In addition, these claims were also intersected by experiences of living with illness. This study focuses on lawsuits involving women, since their claims were often dismissed. Primary sources are accessed and the concepts of the quotidian and experience are used. The most recurring diseases were pulmonary tuberculosis and syphilis.

disease; history; workers; gender; labor judiciary