Majorcan Economic Society's: island medical initiatives (1778-1800) and Antonio Despuig y Dameto's cartographic project (1785)

Abstract

Since its foundation Majorcan Economic Society faced up to whole series of challenges about scientific nature, and the medicine was one of this. Practical-Medical Academy (1778-1800) was an idea that was not without internal difficulties at the beginning, although they were eventually overcome. While the economic obstacles suffered throughout the life of the institution contributed to its failure. Society also promoted medical studies that would allow a better health knowledge of the island. The cartographic initiative of the future cardinal Antonio Despuig y Dameto (1785), in collaboration with number of scholars linked to semap, pretended to be a power instrument for political and social purposes.