The Popularization of Medicine during the Spanish Enlightenment

Spain began the eighteenth century with a change of dynasty which had cost a War of Succession. The country, its splendours now a thing of the past, was a second or third-rate power, turned in upon itself in its scientific development, partly as a consequence of Philip II's decree in 1559 that none of his subjects, 'of whatever state, condition or quality may leave this Kingdom to study, or teach, or learn, or be, or direct in universities, institutes or colleges beyond the frontiers of this Kingdom . . .'. ¹ Although throughout the seventeenth century there had been a complex evolutionary process that had succeeded in introducing modern science to Spain, as excellently detailed by Professor Lopez Pinero, ² it was not until the accession of the new Bourbon dynasty that Spain felt the winds of renovation and liberalization, illustrated by the decree of Philip V of 4 July 1718 by which grants were created so that Spaniards might study abroad. ³ The country underwent important changes and, although rather late and in its own peculiar way, joined the movement of enlightenment which then dominated the European scene. ⁴ This incorporation became even clearer with the accession of Charles III (1759-89) and meant, as regards the sciences in general, a new impulse designed to put them at the service of the State. ⁵ Consequently, successive enlightened governments pursued two basic goals: to do away with, as skilfully as possible, the scholastic stagnation that reigned in the university, and to introduce new knowledge and techniques to the country in order to put them at the service of State projects. An enormous effort was therefore made to ensure, in accordance with the creed of enlightenment, 'useful knowledge', which would allow the country to improve its economy, technologically so dependent on other nations. Foreign scientists such as Bowles (1721-80), Dombey (1742-92), Proust (1754—1826), and Chabaneau (1754-1852) were brought to the country; and, at the expense of the Crown, or with grants from quasi-official institutions, many Spaniards were sent to study abroad. Institutions were set up to allow for the development of the sciences, like the Royal Library (1716), the Artillery Academy of Segovia (1763), the Natural History Laboratory (1752); and, for the improvement of medicine and surgery, the Royal Colleges of Surgery in Cadiz (1748), Barcelona (1760) and Madrid (1787). Together with these government-sponsored institutions, other privately sponsored ones were also set up, such as the Societies of Friends of the Nation, which followed the example of the one established in the Basque Country and sprang up throughout the regions, encouraged by the governments of the Enlightenment which, in general, played a dynamic role in scientific development. ⁶ That this enormous effort failed in the end was mainly a result of the impatience of governments, which considered the progress of scientific education too slow and its fruits too scarce; of the persistent and severe economic difficulties; and finally of the events and consequences of an unfortunate military campaign and the disastrous War of Independence (1808-14) which wasted the years and money invested. ⁷