History of Latin American Dermatology

PABLO A. VIGLIOGLIA, ALBERTO WOSCOFF“Americanization” of Argentine Dermatology which, without losing its French influence,adopted broader paths, particularly in pathophysiology and therapeutics.Pedro Horacio Magnin remained for a time in the United States collaborating in researchwith the pioneer Stephen Rothman. On his return to Argentina he started out onan outstanding career: he succeeded Quiroga and Mazzini as full professor, was presidentfor several periods of the Argentine Association of Dermatology and for decadesedited the Argentine Revista Argentina de Dermatología of Dermatology. A passionatescholar, his days began at dawn; he wrote books an articles, researched diverse subjects,among them porphyrias and skin cancer. He organized athenaeums, sessions and congressesand formed a closed nucleus of disciples who continued his work. Head of theBritish and Ramos Mejía hospitals — the latter continuing as Chair — he possessed a singularpersonality, severe and demanding. He imparted his knowledge with the aid of anexceptional memory, but also demanded virtually total devotion from those who sharedhis work. He succeeded Marcial Quiroga at the National Academy of Medicine.Alejandro A. Cordero continued the series of brilliant teachers. He worked withQuiroga, of whose chair he was associate professor, and was later head of the service ofthe Tornú, Rawson and Hospital de Clínicas, reaching the post of full professor at the lattertwo. Cordero was an exceptional person and scientist. Modest, affable, protective, hewas the teacher of a large number of dermatologists * . He was continually travelling to diversecountries of the world, accompanied by his cultured wife. In the mornings he wouldtour hospital centers, in the afternoons he would visit the city and its museums and atnight would share dinner with the country’s main dermatologists ... while continuing totalk about Dermatology. At congresses, like a conscientious student, he would write downall he saw and heard in a little notebook, which on his return he would with great generosityshare with his classes. The principal dermatological societies of the world appointedhim an honorary member. Like Quiroga, he was a member of the InternationalLeague of Dermatological Societies. His memory is perpetuated by all of us who knew him.The Chairs. In the years stretching between Pierini y Quiroga no competitions wereheld. The already appointed associate professors filled the post of full professor for oneyear; this was the reason that notable dermatologists were unable to compete for thepost of full professor.The situation returning to normal after more than a decade, Cordero and Magninwere appointed full professors. On retiring for age reasons (at the University of BuenosAires’ Medical School the bar is set at age 65) they were succeeded by Viglioglia andJaimovich for a brief period. The number of chairs was expanded to four and the postwere taken by Alberto Woscoff, Ana Kaminsky, Hugo Cabrera and Carlos Kaminsky —the latter dying prematurely.Ana Kaminsky, with a noted international career, was appointed, as Quiroga andCordero had earlier been, a member of the International League of Dermatological Societies,with which Argentina had its representative; she has been invited by numerouscountries to give conferences and is an Honorary Member of the league.Hugo Cabrera, trained with Gatti and Cardama, held the position of chief at thePosadas Policlinic and later at the Hospital de Clínicas where he set up his teaching chair.Possessing an extremely wide dermatological knowledge, he has published numerousworks, in many of which he has described pathologies previously unknown in the country.His book Nevos (Nevi), written in collaboration with Sandra García, is a standout anda necessary reference work in its field.Alberto Woscoff, full professor and chief at the Hospital de Clínicas, in addition to consultingprofessor of the Argentine Navy and head of the service at the Pedro Mallo NavalHospital. He previously was chief at the Durand Hospital. Worthy of mention among his* Including myself (AW).36