Juliana Mandato Ferragut: 

“We need to manage our psychical world in a
mature way” 

Our fellow Spiritist from São Paulo – a doctor specialised in Infectology – says that our thoughts and feelings affect in a positive or negative manner our link with infectious agents

	Juliana Machado Ferragut (photo) was born in a Spiritist family in the Brazilian city of São Paulo. She lives in Vinhedo, a city in São Paulo state where she works as a doctor, specialised in Infectology. A Spiritist public speaker and member of a mediumship group, she answered important questions  about  Infectology  in  the light of Spiri-
tism:  First can you sum up the meaning of Infectology?

It is a medical speciality that deals with the diseases caused by several pathogens, such as prions, viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and animals. Infectologists work on primary prevention (education, vaccination etc.) and secondary prevention (treatment of infectious diseases and prevention of the incapacity caused by them). It is a very old field of medicine. However it is still very important. 

And what strikes you most about Infectology? 

As a Spiritist, what strikes me most is how much you learn from the relation doctor-patient. Since Ancient times infectious and parasitological illnesses have led to exclusion and prejudice. That happened before Jesus with those who suffered from leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, as well as syphilis, tuberculosis and, more recently, Aids. Whole populations have been segregated because of those illnesses, in a very harsh trial for all of us, Spirits in process of development. The daily contact with patients is, therefore, very rich and interesting from a human perspective. 

How did you become interested in that particular field of Medicine?

As in most happy events in my life, it simply dropped in out of nowhere. I was totally guided by the Spiritual Benefactors soon after I finished my degree and was about to choose a specialisation. This is an area I always liked, as it was linked to Social Medicine. 

How can you connect Spiritist knowledge with health and infection? 

There is a vast field for research linking the Spiritist Teachings and Medicine, the development of infectious and parasitic diseases and diseases of our Spiritual Body, or Perispirit, that develop as part of our plan for this particular incarnation. It is wonderful to realise that we have come so far and shown that there is no divine injustice in anything that happens in the world. Instead, what we have are opportunities for learning and atoning.  

How does your knowledge of Spiritism help you with your professional assessment of the problem? 

It helps me a great deal. When I prescribe a patient a particular treatment, I am fully aware that the body’s health is only one of the aspects of our health. We need to look after the health of our Spirit too. The relationship doctor-patient is very different to that of other colleagues. The first contact with a patient usually happens in very difficult circumstances, where you have a unique opportunity to understand that pain and illnesses provide a valuable opportunity for growth and development. In my blessed profession, I have the opportunity to help the patient understand that. In most cases, there is a remarkable progress in the treatment of chronic illnesses. The physical body is progressively cured, but most importantly, our brothers and sisters go through important internal transformations and learn lessons that they will take with them forever. 

Is there any particular experience you would like to share? 

Working in state hospitals in Brazil, I have had the opportunity to treat many patients from a very poor background, many of them dealing with stigmatising illnesses such as Aids. They have often gone through family breakdowns; involvement with drugs and crime and many have served time in jail in awful conditions. To help those little brothers and sisters rebuild their lives and re-establish links with their families have been the most rewarding experiences of my life. Even when it was not possible to heal the body, I had unique opportunities to share with some patients the moment they passed away, when they realised the limits of our material world and began making contact with the relatives who had come from the Spiritual World to welcome them.  

Based on your experience and knowledge in Medicine and Spiritism, what advice would you give to someone who wants to get protection from infections in general? 

Kardec taught us that we must, first and foremost, follow the developments of science and Medicine. We must put in practice all preventative measures associated with hygiene and diet, education as well as care with our sexuality. We must also abstain from vices and addictions: do not smoke, do not drink, keep your body clean, and exercise regularly. That is the best way to deal with our physical body; it is the best way of interacting with our physical world with respect and care. In the infection process, there is always a dialogue between the microorganism and the host all the time. We now understand that we also need to look after our psychological and Spiritual world. Our thoughts and feelings also have an impact on our “garden” and play a role in the way we deal with the infectious agents. 

Anything else you would like to add? 

I would just like to thank God for the opportunity of learning and working, serving with Jesus all the time.