First stages towards the establishment of Brazilian neurology faculties

Abstract

The establishment of modern medicine in Brazil was marked by the arrival of the Portuguese Court in 1808, when the Bahia and Rio de Janeiro Faculties of Medicine were founded. The French School of Medicine exerted a strong influence on Brazilian medicine and on the main pioneers of Brazilian neurology. The elite of “Parisian neurology” trained students and doctors from around the world, and were mentors to the pioneers of Brazilian neurology in the early 20th century. In this article, the authors review the origins of neurology faculties in Brazilian medicine and the main pioneers of Brazilian neurology. Neurology is certainly a continuously changing field and has always adapted to new advances and discoveries, and it is an honor for the authors to pay homage to their pioneers.

Roberto Melaragno's scientific contributions to Brazilian Neurology

“…Brazilian neurology, particularly in São Paulo, was strongly influenced by French neurology 1,2 . The first chair of neurology at the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo (USP) was filled by professor Enjolras Vamprè in 1935; after his premature death in 1938, his assistant professor Aderbal Tolosa was chosen to replace him through an open selection process 2,3,4,5 . In 1945, the neurology clinic at the School of Medicine of USP was transferred to Hospital das Clínicas under the leadership of Tolosa and his assistants Oswaldo Lange and Oswaldo Freitas Julião, along with several volunteer assistants, including Roberto Melaragno Filho 3,4,5,6,7,8 .…”

Professor Faustino Esposel: Neurology, football and spiritualism

“…Neurology in Brazil was deeply influenced by the French school of neurology and its outstanding Neurology Service at the Hospital de la Salpêtrière, in Paris, which was considered the birthplace of Neurology worldwide at the end of the 19th century, with its most prominent figure, Professor Jean-Martin Charcot 1,2,3,4 . In Brazil, the first neurology school was founded in 1912, having Professor Antonio Austregésilo as the first professor of the Chair of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro, current Federal University of Rio de Janeiro 1,2,3,5,6 . Professor Austregésilo has made several study trips to Europe, mainly to France, for internship programs in neurology services under the supervision of Pierre Marie, Babinski and Dejérine, among others 1,2,3,5,6 .…”

“…In Brazil, the first neurology school was founded in 1912, having Professor Antonio Austregésilo as the first professor of the Chair of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro, current Federal University of Rio de Janeiro 1,2,3,5,6 . Professor Austregésilo has made several study trips to Europe, mainly to France, for internship programs in neurology services under the supervision of Pierre Marie, Babinski and Dejérine, among others 1,2,3,5,6 .…”

“…The School of Neurology directed by Professor Austregésilo, who is considered the founder of modern Brazilian Neurology, has become a reference throughout Brazil. Professor Austregésilo had several disciples, including Professor Deolindo Couto, his successor, and also Professor Esposel 1,2,3,5,6 . Professor Esposel has worked very close to his master and friend, Professor Austregésilo, with whom he shared the publication of several scientific articles.…”

“…Professor Esposel has worked very close to his master and friend, Professor Austregésilo, with whom he shared the publication of several scientific articles. In addition, he had also replaced his master as chairman of Neurology, when Professor Austregésilo was elected Congressman 1,2,3,5,6,7 . This article aims to point out Professor Esposel´s major contributions to the field of Neurology in Brazil, as well as to highlight his non-medical related activities.…”