Anotaciones a la biografía de Ignacio María Ruiz de Luzuriaga (1763-1822), el inicio de la vacunación contra la viruela en España

Ignacio María Ruiz de Luzuriaga (1763-1822) played a notable role during the beginning of smallpox vaccination in Spain. From his position as secretary of the Royal Academy of Medicine, Luzuriaga encouraged an exchange of letters between progressive thinkers including physicians, surgeons, aristocrats and the bourgeoisie and provide them with the vaccine and advice on how to use it, and received information on the progress made in return. This may be seen as a failed attempt to form a central vaccination committee similar to those existing in other European countries. We review Luzuriaga's life and times, and include hitherto unknown details.