This present article analyzes the epidemics that spread across the state of Maranhão and Grão Pará in the first half of the 18th century, when two large epidemic outbreaks affected dramatically the indigenous population, with high rate of mortality. Due to the indigenous population decrease, the colonists were affected by lack of work force. Besides that, there was the need for professional healers, a fact that led the priests to become “physi­cians” of the soul and the body. The article further analyses the curative practices in the Portuguese America and the relations among the curative knowledge of European, Indigenous and African peoples. The analysis was based on historical documents of the collections of the Overseas Historical Archive, Annals of the National Library (volume 67), Annals of the Public Archive of Pará State and the writings of the Jesuit priest João Daniel and of the French traveler Charles-Marie de La Condamine. Keywords: Colonial Amazon, epidemics, curative practices.This present article analyzes the epidemics that spread across the state of Maranhão and Grão Pará in the first half of the 18th century, when two large epidemic outbreaks affected dramatically the indigenous population, with high rate of mortality. Due to the indigenous population decrease, the colonists were affected by lack of work force. Besides that, there was the need for professional healers, a fact that led the priests to become “physi­cians” of the soul and the body. The article further analyses the curative practices in the Portuguese America and the relations among the curative knowledge of European, Indigenous and African peoples. The analysis was based on historical documents of the collections of the Overseas Historical Archive, Annals of the National Library (volume 67), Annals of the Public Archive of Pará State and the writings of the Jesuit priest João Daniel and of the French traveler Charles-Marie de La Condamine. Keywords: Colonial Amazon, epidemics, curative practices.Cet article analyse les épidémies qui se sont étendues dans l’État du Maranhão et Grão Pará dans la première moitié du siècle XVIII, auxquelles présentent deux grandes éclosions épidémiques qui ont affecté radicalement la popula­tion indigène, car c’étaient des périodes qui ont présenté des hauts taux de mortalité entre ces peuples. Dans le contexte d’épidémies, il y a les problèmes pour la société coloniale, puisque avec la dépopulation indigène, les habitants ont souffert avec la manque de travailleurs. Au-delà de ça, il a eu la nécessité de professionnels d’art curatif, fait qui a résulté dans l’action des religieux qui sont devenus des « médecins » de l’âme et du corps ; on développe aussi une analyse à propos des pratiques curatives dans l’Amérique portugaise et les rapports entre les savoirs curatifs des européens, des indigènes et des africains. L’analyse a été faite à partir de la documentation des fonds d’Archives Historique d’Outre-Mer, d’Annuaire de la Bibliothèque Nationale (volume 67), d’Annuaire d’Archives Publique de l’État du Pará et d’oeuvres du prêtre jésuite João Daniel et du voyageur français Charles-Marie de La Condamine. Mots-clés : Amazonie coloniale, épidémies, pratiques de guérison.O presente artigo analisa as epidemias que grassaram no Estado do Maranhão e Grão Pará na primeira metade do século XVIII, as quais apresentaram dois grandes surtos epidêmicos que afetaram drasticamente a população indígena, com alta taxa de mortalidade. Com a depopulação indígena, os moradores sofreram a falta de trabalhadores. Além disso, houve a necessidade de contar com profissionais da arte curativa, o que fez com que os religiosos passassem a ser “médicos” da alma e do corpo. O artigo desenvolve uma análise acerca das práticas curativas na América portuguesa e as relações entre os saberes curativos de europeus, indígenas e africanos. A análise foi feita a partir da documentação dos acervos do Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino, Anais da Biblio­teca Nacional (volume 67), Anais do Arquivo Público do Estado do Pará e das obras do padre jesuíta João Daniel e do viajante francês Charles-Marie de La Condamine. Palavras-chave: Amazônia colonial, epidemias, práticas de cura.