History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Argentine Dermatologypublished on this field and has a thorough knowledge of the histopathology he described.His laboratory brings together Latin American and Argentine dermatologists who with reverentcuriosity and interest delve into the world of microscopy. In dermatological discussions,the following is frequently heard to put an end to any polemic: “and Abulafia said so.”In 1943 there began a succession of political and institutional vicissitudes which formany decades paralyzed competitions, and led to the relegation of brilliant personalitieswho in other circumstances would have reached the topmost academic positions.In 1978 the Rawson Hospital was closed down and a number of outstanding dermatologistswho formed part of its service were distributed among diverse municipal hospitals.Beginnings of the current era■ Beginnings of the current eraIn addition to the holders of professorial rank there arose other personalities who establishedmilestones in this history.Aarón Kaminsky is the father of Argentine cosmiatrics. Full of anecdotes, unique,with an overwhelming personality, he enjoyed an extraordinary popular prestige. Headof the Dermatology services of the Israelite and Alvear hospitals, he gathered around hima large number of physicians and a legion of patients. His special orientation was towardthe therapeutic aspect, becoming a master of the art of the customized prescription. Hetrained disciples of great standing including his son Carlos, Ana Kaminsky and LeónJaimovich, all three of whom were to be full professors, in addition to J. Kriner, P. Bumaschny,S. Braunstein, H. y A. Kaplan, B. Sevinsky and A. Aufgang.Alfredo Chouela had a notable career at the Society of Dermatology. Standing out indermatological surgery was A. Segers and in dermatological allergy M. Asrilant.Pablo Viglioglia, trained in this school, attained the leadership of the Álvarez hospitaland the rank of full professor. Enjoying the privilege of linking his vast clinical knowledgeto the ability to read and diagnose histopathological preparations, his thorough eruditionwas reflected in numerous books and articles. He gave his classes simply and with scientificauthority, imbuing them with a cordial and affectionate atmosphere, reaching aneasy integration with his listeners. *Enrique Jonquières, noted for his versatility in leprology, worked at his side.Miguel A. Mazzini was another major dermatologist of this period. He too was a fullprofessor. Elegant, with an innate air of gentlemanliness, modest and affable, he washead of the Fernández Hospital before taking on the chair at the Ramos Mejía. His ClinicalDermatology, written in its first version with Fernández Blanco and later exclusivelyauthored by himself (1977), was the essential study and reference work for the dermatologistsof that entire period.Diverse circumstances came about at that time which would forge paths in the futureof Argentine Dermatology.Dr. Raúl Fleischmajer, a disciple of Kaminsky’s, moved to the United States and beganan exceptional career leading to the attainment of a professorship and head of Dermatologyat Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. His contributions to the physiopathology ofcollagen and in particular scleroderma are of international importance. He visited Argentinavirtually every year and spread his knowledge there. In the United States heshared activities with Dr. León Jaimovich — a disciple of Kaminsky’s and later of Pierini’s— who, upon returning to Argentina, began a brilliant career which took him to the rankof full professor.Arturo Mom also traveled to the United States where he began his dermatological research;another assiduous traveler was Prof. Alejandro Cordero. Thus began the stage of* This paragraph has been written by Dr. A. Woscoff.35