Abstract

SANCHEZ LUNA, Gilberto Sebastián  and  GONZALEZ FLORES, José Gustavo. Smallpox Epidemics in the South of the Province of Coahuila (Patos, Parras and El Álamo) at the End of the Colonial Period. Estud. hist. novohisp [online]. 2022, n.67, pp.113-143.  Epub Jan 20, 2023. ISSN 2448-6922.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iih.24486922e.2022.67.77720.

This text analyzes the demographic impact of the smallpox epidemics before and after the introduction of variolation and vaccination at the end of the colonial period in three settlements located in the south of the province of Coahuila: Parras, Patos, and El Álamo through the study of the burial books of these three parishes. The elements considered for this investigation were: the geographical and historical context of the space studied along with the etiology of smallpox, its differential diagnosis and the history of variolation and vaccination. On the other hand, the impact of preventive measures on the number of deaths was calculated using the Del Panta-Livi Bacci methodology. It is concluded that variolation and the vaccine had a different impact according to the socio-economic context of each settlement and its proximity to the centers of ecclesiastical and civil administrative power, where the promotion of both prevention measures was more effective.

Keywords : Epidemics; Smallpox; Mortality; Variolation; Vaccination; Impact.