Archbishop Fonte and the introduction of vaccination in the mexican Huasteca

Abstract

Pedro José Fonte Hernández (1777-1893), native of Linares de Mora (Teruel), was the last Spanish archbishop of Mexico. He was a man of great culture with a good education in law, philosophy and classical languages and a member of the Royal Academy of San Carlos of New Spain. He took part in Mexican politics in the eventful years of Mexican independence and returned to Spain in 1823 where, later, he became Presidente of the Regency Council during the minority of Isabel II. He introduced the anti^smallpox vaccine into New Spain in 1804. After some years, its use declined considerably and the archbishop, concerned for the spiritual and bodily health of his flock, used a long pastoral visit to the north-east of his archdiocese (1819-1820) to spread this health practice to many thousands of people. He began a well-organized campaign, with a preliminary phase of information. He contracted staff at his own expense: a foreign curate coordinator, «some priests and people of authority and influence» and â «young doctor» (who died during the expedition). He gave prizes for «parents and docile children» to promote the spread of this beneficial practice.