Sífilis, tuberculosis y alimentación, la obra de Enrique Hervada García-Sampedro (1883-1953) y la salud materno-infantil

Abstract

The present thesis analyzes the labour as a tisiologist of Dr. Enrique Hervada Garcia-Sampedro (1883-1953). In his works, Hervada studied the sociomedical situation of tuberculosis and syphilis in Galicia, comparing it with the spanish and european realíty regarding that matter- especially in France- . He also analyzed their impact in maternal and child health. Hervada takes into account the special sociodemographic characteristics of Galícia in the first half of the 20th century: high population density, poor infrastructures and, by far, the highest rate of spanish emigration. Thus, the antiscrofulous hygiene conditions were determinant in his scientific path. Enrique Hervada made contributions of interest to the etiological and epidemiological study of tuberculosis and to the clínical and complementary methods of diagnosis, disseminating exploratory techniques for early detection, su eh as the use of radiology and the application of salvarsan for the treatment of syphilis . He took part in a good amount of the congresses and scientific meetings held in Spain, and developed as well an interesting informative work in the Recreational Union of Artisans of La Coruña, related with topics as interesting for community as food, hygiene or alcoholism. He also carried out a great piece of research, «The antituberculosis fight in Galicia» (publíshed in 1924), in which he analyzes during the period 1910- 1921 the evolution of the disease and its mortality, putting special emphasis in the hygienic-dietary measures followed during the iIIness. For our study's purposes, his thesis «The ignored syphilis» is very valuable.