History of Latin American Dermatology

M. MADERO, F. MADERO, G. MONTENEGRO, M. COELLO, C. ARIASDermatology meetings of various types have been organized: Pediatric Dermatologycourses, Cosmiatry courses, Dermatology updating courses; the “Mole Week,” a researchand community service undertaking; Cutaneous Manifestations of AIDS Symposium,Symposium-Workshop of General Dermatology, Gonzalo González Dermatology HospitalAnniversary Meetin; Dermatology talks, inter-hospital meetings and the creation of thePsoriasis Ecuadorian Foundation, among many others.The Quito Nucleus has also facilitated scientific, cultural and social exchanges amongits members through the “House of the Dermatologist,” which opened its doors inNovember 1997, and a little later, in 1999, acquired its own premises, where the NucleusHeadquarters are currently located.The teaching of Dermatology has been strengthened with the launching of the GraduateDermatology School, which is linked to the Central University and is currently asource of future generations of Quito dermatologists.■ Reference1. Samaniego y Alvarez, E:Apuntes biográficos. Boletínde la Federación Médica delEcuador, Quito, 1954, 58(XII): 17.■ III. III. Dermatology La Dermatología en in el AzuayMauricio Coello Uriguen, Claudio Arias ArgudoIn order to know how our present has been forged, to be ableto value it and to dare to change, improve and project intothe future, it is necessary to pry into the depths of our pastwithout ignoring our roots and denying our history.Owing to what is stated in the opening thought, and as a preamble to the true historyof Azuayan Dermatology, we have deemed it necessary and indispensable to outline aquick and succinct look back at some of the milestones that have marked our history, forthat struggle to be brought back to life and therefore remembered.Dermatology in pre-Hispanic times“Some dermatological representations of pre-Columbian times are preserved throughpaleontology; certain very interesting ceramic pieces representing diseases such assmallpox are known” 1 .In the fifteenth century, the inter-Andean region was inhabited by various nativetribes: the Quitu (Pasto, Quillacinga, Caranqui, Otavalo, Panzaleo), the Puruhae (Liribamba),the Cañari (Tomebamba, Guapondélig) and the Palta, Zarza (2). Guapondélig —which in the Cañari language means “plains as big as the sky” — occupied a territorialarea blessed by nature in terms of its beauty and the generosity of the land; this areacorresponds mainly to the Cañar and Azuay provinces. From 8000 to 6000 B.C. theCañari Ayllu (Cañari communities), and before them nomad settlements of hunter-gatherers,inscribed their authenticity in archeological vestiges (Chobshi Cave: Sigsig). Agriculturaland pottery communities derived from the former peopled the Guapondéligvalleys and gave the race a destiny as potters, artisans and farmers 3 .The Inca conquest, with Yupanqui (Huayna-Cápac’s grandfather), after a long and202