Modernizing deafness: Education, public health, and social reform in Mexico City, 1860-1940

In the nineteenth century, the professionalization of medicine converged with a renewed interest in the study of hearing and speech disorders worldwide, which contributed to improved understanding and diagnosis of deafness. Established in 1867, the Escuela Nacional de Sordomudos was Mexico’s first institute created specifically for poor deaf children. This dissertation traces the ever-evolving perceptions of deafness and how what were believed to be its associated causes—poverty, disease, and immorality—were a central part of late nineteenth century concerns. Based on extensive research in archives and libraries in Mexico and the United States, this study underscores the importance of local efforts to provide education to Mexico City’s young deaf population. By examining the roles of municipal officials, hygiene inspectors, school administrators, and teachers, this dissertation expands historical understanding of the creation and operation of this pioneering institute and analyzes the ways in which these individuals found themselves at the center of longstanding and polarizing debates over deaf education on the local, national, and international levels. “Modernizing Deafness” highlights the conflicts and negotiations between this diverse group of individuals as they worked toward the common goal of providing deaf students with education and skills-based training.