History of Latin American Dermatology

PREFACETHE BEGINNING OF A ROADRICARDO GALIMBERTI, ADRIÁN MARTÍN PIERINI,ANDREA BETTINA CERVINIWe returned from Paris in July 2002 and in our bags, in our minds and in our heartswe brought with us not only the memory of what we had learned at the Congress but alsothe enormous joy and responsibility of being in charge of organizing the Twenty-FirstWorld Congress of Dermatology in Buenos Aires.For the first time, a South American country would host the most important event inWorld Dermatology. The dream of our teachers was becoming a reality.In order to achieve this, we had enjoyed the support of the Societies of Dermatologyof Latin America, which continues and is heightened day by day.The splendid History of French Dermatology impressed us and in it we glimpsed thebeginning of a road.From the very outset, Pierre Fabre Dermo Cosmétique backed the creation of thisbook which we present today: History of Latin American Dermatology.This work would not have been possible without the commitment of the Societies ofDermatology of Latin America. Moreover, it is our duty to stress, because it has been invaluable,the enthusiasm and the speed of the response of all the co-authors, who undoubtedlynot only made our task easier but also increased our responsibility in the faceof such participation.We speak of the beginning of a road because we believe that the History of LatinAmerican Dermatology is — by this demonstration of collaborative spirit without meannessor prejudice — the inaugural event of our most prized goal as dermatologists in thiscontinent: namely, the unity of Latin American Dermatology, respecting our differenceswhich, far from bringing us apart, bring us together, to learn from one another.We can count on two facts that act in favor of that unity:1. Our passion for Dermatology, for the study and care of the organ of expression parexcellence, not only of the events of our body, but also, and particularly, of our quality oflife.2. Our common origins, since we all share the same Latin roots, which eases our understandingof our problems, our research, and our goals.Latin America has a very rich history ever since the pre-Columbian era, in the Indiancultures whose traces still endure in the customs of our people. Colonization broughtchange, not always favoring people’s welfare, but ultimately enriching the health of ourpopulation.Virtually all the Latin American Societies of Dermatology express themselves in this17