Establislmient of San Fernando de Bejar, r723-r73r
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physician to look after the indisposed. The members of the party were suffering from different ailments at this time. Fray Bernabe de Santa Cruz, a lay religious of the Order of Saint Augustine, a Master in sur- gery and anatomy, graduate of the National University of Mexico, was chosen as the official physician to look after the Canary Islanders dur- ing their stay at Cuatitlan. Fray Bernabe asked six pesos a day for his services. When the viceroy was informed of the situation, he recom- mended that the physician be employed as long as it was necessary, that the medicines that might be required for the treatment of the patients be purchased from an authorized pharmacist, and that a detailed account of all expenditures be kept in order that these might be paid by the royal treasury. He asked the Alcalde 111 ayor to try to make an arrangement with Fray Bernabe which would be less expensive to the king, explaining to him that his services were for the public good. 35 In view of the circumstances, Fray Bernabe agreed to charge only five pesos a day. He accordingly began to minister to the sick on Sep- tember 13. Three days later, the Alcalde iltf ayor reported that the ten patients whom the physician was treating were all improving, with the exception of a woman who was suffering from dropsy. For forty days, Fray Bernabe continued to look after the patients and was successful in nursing most of them back to health. During this time he attended nine- teen cases, of which only three died. These were Juan Jose Leal, an infant who died soon after he was born; Luisa Hernandez, the wife of Juan Leal Goraz; and Maria Rodriguez Granadillo, the daughter of Juan Rodriguez, who had died shortly after his arrival in Veracruz. Although Fray Bernabe ministered to the sick for forty days, he only charged the king for twenty-three and was consequently paid one hun- dred and fifteen pesos for his services. The apothecary, Francisco Moroso, Master in pharmacy, graduate of the University, presented a bill for forty-eight pesos and six reales for the medicines he supplied to the sick and was paid in full by the Alcalde ,11 ayor. 36 It is of interest to note the cost of the shrouds purchased for the burial of the deceased. The one for little Maria Rodriguez cost four 3 SThe Viceroy to the Alcalde Mayor, September 12, 15, October 1, 1730: The Alcalde 111ayor to the Viceroy, September 14, 15, 1730. A.G. N., Provincias /nler- 11as, Vol. 32. 36 The A lea/de 11/ayor to the Viceroy, September 16, 17 JO; Recibo del Medico, October 28, 1730 ; Recibo del Boticario, no date; List of persons with births and deaths. A. G. N., Provincias lt1temas, Vol. 32.
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