History of Latin American Dermatology

LUIS DAVID PIERINIMapuche youths were erroneously reported to be lacking in the latter. Its effects, througha sympathetic influx, was essential in all magical-evocative ceremonies. In the forest, theMachi looked after a favorite winter-bark tree and, according to the Araucanian beliefdescribed by Ramón Pardal, if someone discovered and cut this plant, the Machi languishedand died.Lafo (Rumex romasa) (romasa): Polygonaceae. Much used by the Chilean Araucanians,it was regarded as one of the most prized herbs. Because of its multiple pharmacologicalqualities it enjoyed great prestige in the healing of injuries, torpid ulcerations,otitis and “leprosies appearing on children, leaving a clean helmet.”Ñincuil (Helianthus thurifera): according to Martín Gusinde it was recognized as amarvel of the field, and an antiluetic action was attributed to it.Jarilla (Bahama baybean): among other applications, it was employed as a poultice,to cure abscesses and phlegmons.On concluding the present botanical selection we express recognition for the invaluablemerit of Prof. Juan A. Domínguez, who carried out major analytical studies of thecomposition of vegetable drugs, managing to unravel the pharmacological-dynamic synthesisof the Araucanian herbarium.■ Pampa, Querandí and Puelche PuelcheThe name Pampa is given to a human conglomeration of mixed origin, which SebastianCabot came across at the mouth of the Carcarañá River, and which he gave the nameof Querandí (men with grease).Faced with smallpox, lesions cases of anthrax or abscesses, these natives brought thelesion to maturity by applying poultices of very hot dung. “When the lesion is ready theyextract the germ by means of a folded horsehair, and quickly eat it between two mouthfulsof raw meat, thus believing they ward off any relapse.”The Guenakén Puelche, who lived in the northern part of Patagonia, were, accordingto the statement by José Sánchez Labrador, “of extremely strong physique and in suchcondition that without any medicine they often recover from illnesses and injuries thatfor others would be deadly.”Herbal remediesGreat naturalists and excellent empiricists, guided by acknowledged herbalists, theyapplied the botany that formed part of the landscape to the needs of their period.Little information is available on the natural elements which the natives of this ethnicgroup employed for dermatological ailments; it is only known that they used a varietyof yang, which they applied on ulcerations and oral aphthae.■ Patagón or TehuelcheThe area to the south of the Colorado River, the natural boundary of the provinces ofLa Pampa and Río Negro – the southernmost plains of the Americas – is internationallyknown by the name of Patagonia, which alludes to the mythical “Patagón giants” describedin 1520 by Antonio Pigafetta, chronicler of Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigationof the globe.28