Based on investigating medical accounts referring to childhood hygiene, this study aimed to discuss the diffusion of hygienic practices in the Paraná state society between 1931 and 1949. It is a historic study in nature, inspired by Norbert Elias's ideas on the civilizing process. The accounts, which evidenced the mission of bringing about hygiene awareness among local children with aims to foster progress and insert the state of Paraná, Brazil, in the national political scenario, were extracted from the Paraná State Medical Journal (Revista Médica do Paraná). Perceptions emerged concerning medicine with a new social function: to educate and civilize infancy through utilizing a hygiene strategy.
Hygiene; Science; Education; Childhood care