Monuments of Progress: Modernization and Public Health in Mexico City, 1876-1910 (Latin American and Carribbean Series, 1498-2366)

This title presents a social & cultural history of public health in Mexico during the late 1800s & early 1900s. The book offers a fresh take on the history of medicine & public health by shifting away from the history of epidemic disease & heroic accounts of medical men & toward looking at public health in a broader social framework. It shows how new public health policies were instrumental in the 'modernisation' of Mexico. This title adds to a small, but fast-growing body of literature, on the history of public health in Latin America & other developing areas of the world. In this groundbreaking book, Claudia Agostoni examines modernization in Mexico City during the era of Porfirio Daz. She outlines the relationship of "enlightened" ideals of orderliness and hygiene to Mexican initiatives in public health. The implementation of new health policies and programs - such as the construction of a drainage system for the Valley of Mexico - were of utmost importance for the symbolic legitimization of Porfirio Daz's durable regime (1876-1910), which emphasized modernization over individual rights and liberties. Thus, projects involving drastic engineering measures, authoritarian sanitary administration, and urban improvements were paramount in transforming the city into a healthy environment. Providing detailed analyses of the objectives and activities of the Superior Sanitation Council and, in particular, the work of the sanitary inspectors, Monuments of Progress provides a fresh take on the history of medicine and public health, shifting the emphasis away from the history of epidemic disease and the heroes of medicine to public health in a broader social framework. Agostoni's unique study builds on a small but fast-growing body of literature on the history of public health in Latin America, and it will appeal to scholars with an interest in medical history, urban history, and the history of nineteenth-century Mexico. Born in Mexico City, Claudia Agostoni earned her Ph.D. in Latin American cultural studies from King's College London, University of London. She is currently a full-time researcher at the Instituto de Investigaciones Histricas at Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico and lectures in Latin American colonial history. In This Book, Claudia Agostoni Examines Modernization In Mexico City During The Era Of Porfirio Diaz. With Detailed Analyses Of The Objectives And Activities Of The Superior Sanitation Council, And, In Particular, The Work Of The Sanitary Inspectors, Monuments Of Progress Provides A Fresh Take On The History Of Medicine And Public Health By Shifting Away From The History Of Epidemic Disease And Heroic Accounts Of Medical Men And Toward Looking At Public Health In A Broader Social Framework. She Outlines The Relationship Between Enlightened Ideals Of Orderliness And Hygiene To Mexican Initiatives In Public Health. Agostoni's Study Builds On A Small, But Fast-growing, Body Of Literature On The History Of Public Health In Latin America And Represents A Growing Interest In The Social And Cultural History Of Public Health In This Area.--book Jacket. By Claudia Agostoni. Series Numbered Retrospectively. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 195-215) And Index. Presents a social & cultural history of public health in Mexico during the late 1800s & early 1900s. This title offers a fresh take on the history of medicine and public health by shifting away from the history of epidemic disease and heroic accounts of medical men & toward looking at public health in a broader social framework.