José Felipe Flores facts for kids

Quick facts for kids José Felipe Flores
José Felipe Flores portrait
Born	1 May 1751 Ciudad Real, Chiapas, Kingdom of Guatemala
Died	20 June 1824 Madrid, Spain
Nationality	Guatemalan
Education	Real y Pontificia Universidad de San Carlos Borromeo
Occupation	Physician
Works	Específico nuevamente descubierto en Guatemala para la cura del Cáncer y otras enfermedades más frecuentes
Awards	Official doctor of Guatemala Personal physician of the King of Spain

José Felipe Flores (born May 1, 1751, in Ciudad Real, Chiapas, which was part of the Kingdom of Guatemala; died June 20, 1824, in Madrid, Spain) was a very important doctor and a pioneer in teaching medicine in Central America. He studied at the Royal and Pontifical University of San Carlos Borromeo. In 1781, he became a teacher at the University and also at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

The Life of José Felipe Flores

José Felipe Flores moved to Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala when he was very young. He went to a Jesuit school there. Later, he studied at the Royal and Pontifical University of San Carlos Borromeo. He earned his degree in Medicine in 1773.

In 1780, there was a serious outbreak of measles in Guatemala. Dr. Flores used a special method called inoculation to help stop the disease. This method involved giving people a small amount of the disease to make them immune. He was very successful, and the measles outbreak was controlled. This was a big step for medicine in the region.

In 1785, Dr. Flores gave important medical equipment to the hospital. He is often called the "founding father" of medical education in Guatemala and Central America. He was a brilliant teacher at the medical college.

Teaching Medicine with Models

To make learning about the human body easier, Dr. Flores designed and built life-size statues. These models clearly showed the organs inside the human body. Students could remove and put back the organs to understand them better.

These special mannequins also helped teach about bones (Osteology) and muscles (Myology). He also helped with Optics, which is the study of light and vision, by inventing new lenses.

Travels and New Discoveries

In 1797, Dr. Flores received a scholarship from the government. He went on a four-year trip to visit medical centers in America and Europe. In Philadelphia, he learned about Luigi Galvani's experiments with electricity and frogs. Later, he did his own studies on this topic.

When he arrived in Italy, he met Galvani and another scientist named Felice Fontana. Fontana was known for making amazing wax models of human anatomy. In Madrid, in 1803, he met Antoni de Gimbernat. Dr. Flores then presented a report to the Surgeons Board. He explained why a vaccination campaign was needed in Spanish America, with government support.

Important Awards

José Felipe Flores received many honors for his hard work and discoveries.

• He was named the first official legal doctor in Guatemala. This meant he led the Medical Board Court.
• Because of his amazing medical skills, the King of Spain chose him as his personal doctor.
• Starting in 1900, the College of Medicine at the National University created an award in his name. The "José Felipe Flores" award is given each year for the best doctoral thesis. This happens during the Fiestas Minervalias.

His Written Works

Flores wrote several important medical papers. One of them was called Específico nuevamente descubierto en Guatemala para la cura del Cáncer y otras enfermedades más frecuentes. This means "Newly discovered specific in Guatemala to cure Cancer and other more frequent illnesses."

This paper described a cure that involved eating small meatballs made from a certain type of lizard. This lizard was common in some parts of Central America. His document was translated into French and German. It was discussed by doctors in many medical groups. The lizard was even included in medical books as a possible cure.

Death

José Felipe Flores passed away in Madrid, Spain, in 1824.

In Literature

He is known as the famous "doctor Sánchez" in the book Memorias de un Abogado (A lawyer's memoirs) by José Milla y Vidaurre.

See also

In Spanish: José Felipe Flores para niños

• Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala
• University of San Carlos of Guatemala