Paper short abstract:

In 1894, Portugal concedes diplomatic asylum to more than 500 Brazilians insurgents on two Portuguese vessels. It issue became an intense diplomatic conflict between Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay about the hygienic conditions and the fear of a yellow fever epidemic.

Paper long abstract:

In 1894, when the Navy's Revolt had finished, more than 500 Brazilians asked diplomatic asylum to Portugal. In that time, Portugal was represented on Atlantic Ocean by two corvettes, Mindello and Affonso d'Albuquerque. The Portuguese Commander decided to concede asylum and protection to that people that would be murdered if he had refused. The Brazilian government started to claim those insurgents back, and Portugal's government denied it. While the diplomatic question raises, the hygienic conditions inside the boats has became drastic. They started to feel the overcrowding effects. Because of that situation, the doctors, inside the boats, had written to Argentina and Uruguay warning the authorities about the possibility of a yellow fever epidemic. As much as the doctors, the authorities are used to share the comprehension that yellow fever could be caused by infection or contagion. In that way, doctors and authorities were demanding the debarkation; while Portugal's government was refusing in accept that. That fear, further the possibility to immigrate for both countries, made more than 300 people escapes from the vessels. Those escapes were the main reason to the diplomatic break between Brazil and Portugal. This paper is intent to analyze the diplomatic issue, as well the health notion which influence the international relationship between Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in the end of nineteen century.