[Medicine and enlightenment in New Spain]

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Medical History
• History of Medicine

Context:

• The Enlightenment's influence spread from England and continental Europe to Spain and New Spain in the 18th century.
• Key figures like John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant shaped Enlightenment thought.
• This intellectual movement impacted various fields, including medicine and biology.

Purpose:

• To trace the influence of the Enlightenment on scientific and medical advancements in New Spain.
• To highlight the contributions of José Antonio Alzate and José Ignacio Bartolache.
• To document the establishment of early scientific journals and the response to epidemics.

Summary:

• Enlightenment ideas, originating in Europe, reached New Spain, fostering scientific development.
• José Antonio Alzate pioneered biology, and José Ignacio Bartolache led medicine, establishing the first scientific journals.
• Bartolache addressed a smallpox epidemic, emphasizing psychological aspects and variolization, while expeditions advanced botany and chemistry in medicine.

Impact:

• The study details the introduction and adaptation of European Enlightenment principles in New Spain's scientific and medical contexts.
• It underscores the foundational role of early scientific publications and the integration of auxiliary sciences like botany and chemistry.
• The work highlights the response to public health challenges, such as epidemics, and the evolving understanding of medical practices.