The fine thread of life: The abandoned children of Buenos Aires, 1779-1823

This article describes the first half century life of the Casa de Ninos Exp ositos (The Foundlings House of Buenos Aires) established in 1779 and remar ks the economic and administrative conflicts between secular and religious orders. Tensions between different levels of the Spanish State and Catholic Church for its administration were increased up to the total secularizatio n of the House. Children life conditions and mortality are also analyzed in the institutional context where wetnurses bred foundlings in each singular home.