What impact did diseases have on Mesoamerican civilizations prior to European contact?

by natius_

Before the Europeans arrived in Mesoamerica, how did civilizations like the Aztec/Mixtec/Zapotec/Mayan/Tarascans (or any others) deal with diseases in their urban centers and territory? Do the records we have expand at all on the cultural perspectives towards the sick and how they were to be treated?

Mictlantecuhtli

There's always room for discussion, but perhaps the section Pre-contact indigenous diseases from our FAQ will answer your inquiry.