SMALLPOX IN 18TH CENTURY CHILE ANDTHE LOCAL POLICY OFTHE CITIES OFTALCA AND SAN FERNANDOTO CURB ITS CONTAGION BASED ONTHE NEW KNOWLEDGE OF FRANCISCO GIL

In the late 18th century, the populations of various cities and towns in the Chilean Governorate were at risk of smallpox contagion. In response, the local authorities, in the cities of Talca and San Fernando, decided to implement a series of preventive measures suggested in the Discourse by Spanish physician Francisco Gil, which, starting in 1785, was disseminated across all territories within the Spanish Monarchy by order of the Crown, with the aim of reducing smallpox transmission among its subjects. However, despite the medical advances presented in the discourse, its implementation was complicated by the overlapping of traditional, popular and religious medical knowledge, revealing how different social groups reacted to the recommendations. This situation exposed the tensions that arose during the decision-making process and its subsequent execution, highlighting the interactions between the Protomedicato (the colonial medical authority) and the agreements made by local authorities and residents.