Hospitals

Documents with different topics; letters from Vidal requesting payment to his military Brother who is comissioned in Luisiana; Onis writes an interesting letter to the virrey of the political consequences if people from the united states continue to settle down in Spanish lands. Onis writes from Washington in October 1809; Vidal informs virrey in detail about his military career and requests payment; Arredondo describes the difficult situation lived by the people of Saltillo with the disease; fiscal sagasurrieta informs virrey about the situation in Saltillo and about the sacrifice of the cabecilla Ximenez. Obispo from Nuevo Reyno de Leon informs virrey that the Hospital is in good condition but the problem is caused by the peste. (D. Bautista, February 1990)

(A. Dell'acqua, December 1987)

Three unrelated letters from 1770. F.234 discusses administration of Hospital real in Durango. Ff.235-236 are report of deaths by Indian attack, mentions cache of Spanish goods found and reported by Mescaleros. F.237 speaks of conversion of Apaches. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Letter from Herrera informing Onesimo that the fever has returned to Pilon, Linares and Salinas causing deaths and illness, fears that the disease may spread more rapidly due to hot Weather climate; presence of druggist in Cadereyta had prompt effect in terms of the illness; in Linares a junta de caridad was established to help fund the costs of treating the sick; Rio acknowledging orders to communicate the status of disease in his college of Guadalupe; Garrido responding affirmatively to virrey's plea for help from mission personnel in aiding those areas suffering from disease commits his colegio Apostolico de pachuca in this effort; letter mentioning plea to real padre custodio del tampico in regards to providing assistance in combating disease; Calleja relating to virrey that he has received correspondence from governors in areas that for the most part say that the disease has abated substantially; Yrart responding to Calleja that he has not been able to compile the list of those affected by disease that Calleja requested because the justicias have not provided him with lists he needs; letter mentioning how the disease has struck especially hard in Cadereyta, plans to have medicine available for free, Linares had the good fortune of having a French doctor in area when disease struck and he was able to assist people stricken, in fact was detained in area until his work was completed. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Letter from Calleja requesting information on status of disease in towns, haciendas, and ranches; letter making it clear that geographical impediments have resulted in some people not being reached by medical attention and therefore still suffering from disease; despite fevers, the city of Linares and the Valley of Pilon were able to produce enough of a corn harvest to meet their food supply needs; Herrera informs Calleja that the fever has struck his area for a second time; discussing measures to be taken in reference to the latest development above. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Letter listing those people who made up the junta provincial that dealt with the fever, need information from governors on the status of the epidemic in their respective areas; a Series of letters aknowledging the orders to communicate information on epidemic; letter that discusses possible funding (aside from public) that can be used for the epidemic; invoices for medical supplies are in San Carlos; letter informing that epidemic has abated in Santander. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Herrera agrees with doctors that it is bad idea to send medicine into towns and have general population administer the medicine themselves because the likelihood is that they will not take it, asking those affected to travel to Monterrey to receive medicine for free is not feasible, the epidemic has abated in Monterrey; have characterized this epidemic as spring fever called pleurecia inflamatoria bastarda, no general cure applicable depends on the individual; letter from Duran informing virrey that he has received news of the epidemic and is prepared to take measures that are called for by the competent individuals; acknowledgement of above letter from the virrey; doctors mentioned earlier agree that reports of headaches that turn into body pains is too general for them to distribute medicine to distant towns, need more exact description of the symptoms; letter from Yrart (or Ysart) that epidemic in Nuevo Santander has abated somewhat, use of medicines proposed by doctors would be of little use since local population has tradition of using traditional botanical medicines; letter to Duran from Martinez and two doctors informing that epidemic has not been felt to any great degree in San Fernando because it has a Hospital and pharmacy. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

M.c. Enderica requests retirement to Cuerpo de Invalidos due to incurable hernia. Surgeon's verification that exertion would be lethal. F.280 cites regulation for retirement of invalids. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Salcedo writes to virrey regarding relations with U.s. government and border dispute, also problems with mail being de artilleria and ingenieros that were supposed to be sent to woman prisoner of war; request from Garcia to retire to his home in Santander; letter from Josefa Saldierma to Gutierrez with novedades regarding her health; Gutierrez receives and sends other letters regarding desire to work in capital and be at home with sick wife, as well as avoiding risk of life and limb in region where Insurgentes still dominate; all correspondence revolves around Hidalgo's uprising and U.s. border dispute with Spain. (D. J. McClelland, July 1989)