The present article analyzes the relation between the hygienist thought and the ideal of civilization at the Sociedad de Mejoras Publicas de Manizales (SMP) during the first half of the 20th century. A hygienic approach as a socio-biological and social-control device was used by the SMP as a mechanism to achieve the long-wished progress. Thus, physical and moral cleanliness was taken at the time as the axe of progress in a city that was then having serious problems in the provision of health and public services, which went in parallel with a significant economic development.