History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Dermatology in Uruguaywhich reason they were repeatedevery two years, being held on a rotatingbasis in the two countries ofthe Plate. The tenth gathering, in1970, took place at the Solís seasideresort and was presided by Dr. EustaquioMontero. These meetingswere later called off to be replacedby the RADLA (Figure 8).The RADLA (Annual Meeting ofDermatologists of the SouthernCone) has, over the years, met withextraordinary success, with an internationalimpact. The venue rotatesamong Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay, which have lately beenjoined by Bolivia and Peru. We stress the importance of this event, fundamentally byvirtue of the unity forged among the dermatologists of the Southern Cone, to whom thoseof other countries, such as Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, may possibly be added inthe future.The Ibero-Latin American Association, the maximum dermatological authority in theregion, acknowledged worldwide, constitutes the most important gathering of the dermatologistsof Spain, Portugal and Latin America. This encounter, which is held everyfour years, represents the true link of dermatological science, friendship and fellowshipbetween Europe and America.The Uruguayan Society of Dermatology, with a historical past filled with glory, is thefundamental institution that brings together all the dermatologists of Uruguay. In October2005, the Tenth Uruguayan Congress of Dermatology will take place along with theTenth International Meeting of Dermatological Therapeutics and the Sixth Sessions ofDermatological Therapeutic Updates of the CETEP. These congresses gather all of thecountry’s dermatologists to present their experiences; outstanding physicians from diversecountries of Latin America, Europe and the United States are always invited.The Inland Society of Dermatology, with its active Governing Board, also carries outits congress every two years, at the capital of one of the districts.Figure 8.DermatologySession of the RiverPlate at whichhomage was paid toDr. B. Vignale on theoccasion of hisretirement asProfessor of ClinicalMedicine. Amongthose present: Prof.Dr X. Vilanoba(Barcelona),Kaminsky, Tost,Fosatti andArgentinecolleaguesThe Uruguayan Society of Dermatology■ The Uruguayan Society of DermatologyThe Uruguayan Society of Dermatology, always and tightly linked to all the dermatologistsand venereologists of the Maciel, Pereira Rossell, Pasteur and Pedro Visca Hospitals,Institute of Military and Police Hygiene and Dispensaries of Dermatology and SexualHygiene, was created on May 15, 1918 as the Section of Dermatology and Syphilographyof the Medical Society of Uruguay. It was an essential need, since it replaced the oldAthenaeums which were held separately at each Hospital Center.On September 1, 1927, Prof. Dr. José May proposed the creation of the bylaws of theUruguayan Society; a commission formed by Profs. José Brito Foresti, Bartolomé Vignaleand Máximo Halty was appointed to draw them up.The Society operated in an irregular manner at the Maciel Hospital. Only in 1956 didactivities re-emerge under the leadership of Bartolomé Vignale, with the participation ofprestigious dermatologists who represented the diverse services. It was the first time inwhich all dermatologists came together, a significant event in the history of the Society.New bylaws were drawn up and a Governing Board was constituted, to last two years,whose members were renewed through periodic elections. The last Saturday of each415