«Una inmensa loquería»: La locura en la sociedad limeña a inicios de la República, 1823-1859

The article examines the perception of madness in Lima society between 1823 and 1859, focusing on three key axes: sensibilities, social practices, and public opinion. Regarding sensibilities, it is noted that, although the republican period maintained the repressive approach and inhumane conditions inherited from the colonial era, critical voices emerged advocating for more humane treatment of the mentally ill. This period also saw the promotion of philanthropy among local elites, who contributed to improving hospital infrastructure. However, in the realm of social practices, it is highlighted that every November 30th, the asylum of the Hospital de San Andrés opened its doors to the public, turning the mad, marginalized in the streets, into objects of curiosity and spectacle. Finally, concerning public opinion, the term «mad» was frequently used as a metaphor to discredit opposing views; nevertheless, the mentally ill themselves managed to enter the public sphere by promoting discourses and political agendas that advocated for their rights. From the perspective of cultural history and Mad Studies, this study addresses the need to understand how conceptions of madness were constructed and transformed during a key period in the formation of the Peruvian nation-state.