The First steps of Clinical neurology in Argentina

ALLEGRI RF, SERRANO CM

Congreso; Annual Meeting American Academy of Neurology; 2009

Objective: this paper aims to review the beginning of neurology in Argentina. Background:  The history of neurology in Argentina developed in parallel with the leading European centers, most importantly in France and Germany, where most prominent neurologists were trained.  Design/Methods: we reviewed primary resources from medical journals, neurology textbooks at the library of the University of Buenos Aires. Results: One can discern three fundamental stages: 1.- Stage of neurology as part of internal medicine: The history began in 1827 at the University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine with a doctoral thesis about epilepsy (Epilepsia: su naturaleza y curación) submitted by Martín García.  2.- Foundation stage of clinical neurology took root in 1885, with the Hospital San Roque de Buenos Aires' first nervous diseases service. Its first director was José María Ramos Mejía, a writer, sociologist, scientist, and outstanding public presence. In 1887, only five years after Charcot was awarded the chief of neurology position in Paris, Ramos Mejía became the first professor of neurology in South America, at the University of Buenos Aires. Three assistants collaborated with Ramos Mejía to develop clinical neurology:  Christofredo Jakob, a German neuropathologist who trained with Strumpell; José A. Estévez, well-known for his clinical approach; and José Ingenieros, renowned in the science and political world for his sociological contributions. Jakob, the founder of neuropathology in Argentina, was recognized for his systematization of brain slicing and for his efforts to study the myelin sheath.3. Stage of neurological sub-specialties: In the more recent North American-influenced years, there is a new paradigm favoring the atomization of the sciences. Specialists in epilepsy, headache, stroke, dementia, among others, appear. Conclusions: The study of history of neurology in Argentina permits knowing and relating South America with the world history of neurology.