Enlightened publics for public health: assessing disease in colonial Mexico

In the eighteenth century, a new genre of periodical literature appeared from Mexico City's presses that focused on disseminating scientific and medical knowledge to the colonial public. In part a natural extension of the healing manuals published for laypeople in previous centuries, the journa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endeavour (New series) 2013-03, Vol.37 (1), p.3-12
Main Author: Ramirez, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alzate y Ramírez
Bartolache
Disease - history
Health Education - history
History, 16th Century
History, 17th Century
History, 18th Century
History, 19th Century
Humans
Mexico
Periodicals as Topic - history
Public Health - history
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In the eighteenth century, a new genre of periodical literature appeared from Mexico City's presses that focused on disseminating scientific and medical knowledge to the colonial public. In part a natural extension of the healing manuals published for laypeople in previous centuries, the journals sought to introduce quantitative methods of environmental study and control and to expand the sphere of those residents who would take responsibility for their health. This article examines the content and format of these journals before turning to the response of urban publics during outbreaks of epidemics, when the broader social participation envisioned by enlightenment men of letters came to fruition through pasquinades and rumors conveying dissent, skepticism, and protest.
ISSN:0160-9327
1873-1929
DOI:10.1016/j.endeavour.2012.11.001