History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Argentine DermatologyDermatology in Rosario (Santa Fe)In the year 1922, the chair of Dermatology was created at the National Littoral University;its first professor was Enrique Fidanza, only 38 years old but with wide experienceacquired in Buenos Aires and Europe. He began his activities at the Italian Hospitaland then transferred the chair to the traditional Centennial Hospital at the National LittoralUniversity. He trained, among others, José María Fernández, Salomón Schujman,Alberto Nudenberg, Francisco Carrillo and Amadeo Campos. He was succeeded in thechair by J. M. Fernández, E. Carboni, V. Pecoraro and B. Nudenberg.Rosario’s Dermatology included physicians of international standing.José María Fernández left his mark in world Dermatology as the author of the leprosyreaction that bears his name, as well as by his decisive participation in the South Americanclassification of leprosy (Havana, 1948) and employment of the BCG vaccine in theprophylaxis of the disease.Salomón Schujman accompanied J. M. Fernández in his research in leprosy. He providedthe foundations for the polar tuberculoid form and was, as the Brazilian Rabelloput it, “the first to describe the disease’s pathophysiology.” His fame transcended borders;as an example, suffice it to say that in 1957 he was invited for a year to teachcourses in leprology in China, where he trained disciples who follow his concepts.Alberto Nudenberg, who carried out advanced studies in France and Germany, devotedhimself intensively to venereology. On his return from his studies, he led and legislatedon the subject, with unceasing and unalterable dedication despite the powerfulinterests deployed behind prostitution. When the National Law on anti-venereal prophylaxiswas adopted, it was established that “Rosario was the best-prepared city in thecountry thanks to his knowledge of these social plagues.”Vicente Pecoraro, like J. M. Barman and I. Astore, stood out for his research on hair,an annex that had hitherto been studied little. The first-named invented an original microscopeand developed the technique of the tricogram, currently employed worldwide.The painstaking care of his observations remains unalterable.Bernardo Nudenberg, a full professor since 1983, gave his chair a new orientation,aimed at integrating Dermatology as an important chapter of medical clinical practice.He published studied on sclerodermia and mucinosis. He was an important guest at allnational congresses and visits and actively participated in the main international gatherings.Possessed of a fine sensibility, he wrote stories and poetry in books which havebeen praised by literary critics.Ramón Fernández Bussy, who carried out advanced studies in Europe, stands out forhis studies on immunology. He is a major presence in the dermatological societies ofBuenos Aires and Rosario and is the author of diverse works and organizer of numerouscourses. He heads the course for specialists in Dermatology at the National University ofRosario. Other outstanding figures are Augusto Mercau, Fernando Feijóo, SebastiánGonzález del Cerro, Carlos Lurati, Ricardo Arpini, and in dermopathology, Augusto Serialand Juan Monti. The Dermatological Association, a subsidiary of the Argentine Associationof Dermatology, was created in 1935 and presided among others by EdgardRomano Boix. It is currently a Section of the Argentine Society of Dermatology.Dermatology in MendozaThe first dermatologists who practiced in Mendoza in the 1930s were Everardo Godoyand León Boaknin, who were joined in 1939 by Prof. Gerónimo López González. Serviceswere provided at the Central and Luis Lagomaggiore hospitals.The year 1950 saw the founding of Mendoza’s Medical School, a dependency of theNational University of Cuyo, and Joao Ferreyra Márquez, of Portugal, was hired as full39