History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Dermatology in VenezuelaPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGYThis subspecialty was started at the initiative of Dr. Eva Koves, who began her outpatientpractice at the Biomedical Institute. Dr. Luis A. González A. later set up an outpatientoffice for dermatological problems in children at the Pérez Carreño Hospital, andwas followed by Dr. Esther Wackzol in the city of Caracas J. M. de los Ríos Children’s Hospital.Dr. Francisco González founded the outpatient department for Pediatric Dermatologywithin the Dermatology Services of Caracas’ University Hospital.IMMUNOLOGYDr. Mauricio Goihman introduced the development of immunology within Dermatologyand conducted important research work at the Biomedical Institute, together withDrs. Marian Ulrich, María Cristina di Prisco, and Nieves González and J. F. Tapia in theirrespective laboratories. He also taught the first immunology courses for the graduatecourses in this field, which were continued by Dr. J. F. Tapia.DERMATOLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe library of the Biomedical Institute, the Dermatología Venezolana (VenezuelanDermatology) journal and, since 1998, the publication via Internet of Piel Latinoamericana(Latin American Skin), headed by Rolando Hernández, J. F. Tapia and Jaime Piquero-Martínattest to the educational work that Venezuela’s Dermatology hascontributed to the professional development of this field.■ History of the Venezuelan Society of Dermatologyand Dermatological SurgeryHistory of the Venezuelan Society of Dermatology and Dermatological SurgeryThe history of the Society has always been very closely linked to the history ofmedicine and hospitals and academic institutions. The National Academy of Medicinewas founded on June 11, 1904, under the administration of General Cipriano Castro.On November 14, 1936, according to the launching record, a group of dermatologistsdecided to join their efforts to “promote an adequate solution to our problems of syphilisand leprosy.” Drs. A. Marcucci Delgado, Tomás Rodríguez, Manuel Murillo, J. M. LópezOlivares, Federico Lizarraga, José Mejía, César Ávila Chacín, Domingo A. Calatrava andRafael Campo Moreno decided to found the Venezuelan Society of Syphilograpy and Leprologyand appointed Dr. Martín Vegas as president. He was assisted by Rafael CampoMoreno as secretary and Tomás Rodríguez as librarian. The Society’s initial efforts werefocused on the organization of the existing health dispensaries, with a view to providinga stronger response to venereal diseases in general and against syphilis and leprosy inparticular. The design, organization and implementation of common clinical case recordsfor all dispensaries was a huge effort carried out with the cooperation of all the physicianswho worked at the dispensaries, guided by the recently created Society and withthe key collaboration of the health authorities.During the early years, activities revolved around issues of general Dermatology,venereology and leprology. The meetings of the new Society were held at the antivenerealdispensaries.In 1937, the holding of an “Antivenereal Week” was promoted, which took place inthe first week of September. Prior to this the Society members launched an informativecampaign that used newspaper space granted for this purpose, in addition to printedbrochures and advertising in conspicuous places. The antivenereal campaign carried outby the Health Ministry was successfully modified.Throughout that year, the debate that had begun prior to the Antivenereal Week427