History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Ecuadorian DermatologyOllague Torres JM. Precursores dela Dermatología: Dr.Wenceslao Ollague Loayza.Dermatología. 1994;3(2).Saeteros de García A. 3ºCongreso Ecuatoriano deDermatología. DermatologíaEcuatoriana. Jun 1986;1(1).Sociedad Ecuatoriana deDermatología. BoletínInformativo Nº4; Sept 1999.Sociedad Ecuatoriana deDermatología. BoletínInformativo Nº5; Ag 2000.II. Dermatology in Quito■ II. Dermatology in QuitoGalo Montenegro LópezIt is important to know the past in order to live the presentand project into the future.In this chapter, I have deemed it appropriate to point out some facts related to theemergence, development and achievements of this young Society, as well as to the doctorswho launched Dermatology in the city of Quito and projected it to the national andinternational arena.The history of Ecuadorian Dermatology, and especially that of our city, is not new.Many skin diseases were treated by Ecuadorian doctors whose names were known onlyto the generations that had the privilege of being treated by them.But in 1910, Dermatology began in Quito as a special medical branch. The pioneer ofthis feat was Dr. Ricardo Villavicencio Ponce, who, upon returning from Europe as a surgeon,also practiced Dermatology, to which he enthusiastically devoted a major portionof his time.In the biographical notes put together by Eduardo Samaniego and Álvarez (1), Dr.Villavicencio states verbatim: “I am the creator of the Chair of Dermatology. How wereskin patients treated at the hospital previously? All of them with the soldier’s ointment.Have I not trained disciples in this branch? There are the dermatologists Espinoza Bravo,Lasso, Arcos, and, in syphilography, Zambrano and Ricardo Paredes. I am interested inlepers, asking to have a young doctor sent to the United States of America to study theprogress in the treatment of this disease.” In July 1929, his appointment as professor wasratified and broadened in the Chairs of Surgical Clinic, Gynecology, Dermatology andSyphilography.It is also worth pointing out that Dr. Villavicencio held the presidency of the House ofRepresentatives, where he stood out for his patriotic spirit, which was characteristic ofthose times. After long and fruitful work, he died on April 10, 1934.He was succeeded by his disciple, Dr. Manuel Villacís, who in 1948 continued with theChair of Dermatology and was Head of Dermatology at the St. John of God Hospital. Hedrafted several papers on leprosy, scabies, exfoliative dermatitis and carbuncle, amongothers, which were published in the journal of the St. John of God Hospital. To his son,Dr. Eduardo Villacís, he dedicated a paper on “Elephantiasis nostra,” published inGuayaquil’s Medical Gazette. He died on December 27, 1979, at the age of eighty, havingbeen an example of hard work and dedication for future generations.We can also mention Dr. Luis Rendón, who gave classes as an associate professor andcarried out studies in the specialized field in the United States.Due to political reasons, during 1959-1960 the Chair was suspended, but it was reopenedin September 1961, headed by Dr. Ernesto Caviedes. Subsequently, Dr. Raúl Murgueytio,who became a specialist in the US, took over the Chair, to which he contributedhis knowledge.The work of Dr. Luis A. León is also remarkable; a disciple of Dr. Villavicencio, in 1944he founded the Chair of Tropical Medicine — which continued until 1972, when it was199