Ap Bio Lab Population Genetics

Alcublas WORKED IN DR. LEON PIQUERAS MORTE,

With this post to start a series of collaborations where the main characters are people well known for his profession, office or its activities, and whose career has been linked Alcublas some way: by visiting, because they live in it, etc. And what better start to rediscover the figure of the doctor Don Leon Piqueras Morte who did so much public health Alcublas and today, for lack of historical memory is a stranger to the alcublanos . I hope these modest lines to repair some of this unjust oblivion ...

But first things first. A few months ago, when diving in old issues of the Gaceta de Madrid to search Alcublas related news, I discovered in the page number 104 of January 8, 1902 the following (which I summarize in paragraphs more interesting):


Royal Academy of Medicine reviewed by the Academy's scientific papers and briefs submitted in option awards and supplies for the year 1901, agreed:
Allot 1, (...) His Excellency Award. Sr.D.José Calvo, Don Leon Piqueras Morte, Medical Alcublas holder, Valencia (...)
(...) It is announced for information of persons concerned, which may receive the awards in person or through duly authorized person on 26 instant, to fourteen hours, when the Academy held the solemn opening session of this year and not go to that measure will be given from the following in this Department under my leadership, to office hours.
Madrid January 7, 1902. The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Manuel Iglesias and Diaz.

Identical note was published in Gazette of Public Instruction, No. 542 of January 18, 1902 in their págs.23 and 24 well as in various newspapers published in Madrid, such as The Fair, Tuesday January 21, 1902, on your page 3.

This information was a complete surprise to me, as a doctor know Alcublas holder had received the award of medicine, and also for scientific work. The topic looked promising, so I decided to perform various investigations in order to deepen it.

My first step was to document on the institution which granted the award, and thus able to provide objective data about the potential importance of such real estate award in the English doctor at the time (early twentieth century).

The Royal Academy of Medicine was founded with that name by Royal Decree of April 28, 1861 "to promote the progress of English medicine, literature publishing history, form the country's medical geography and technology of medicine dictionary ', but was called automatic continuation of the literary gathering Medical Matritense (1732), renowned Matritense Medical Academy by royal decree of Philip V (1734) and with consideration of "Real" since 1738.

Academy since its inception, has distinguished itself by providing various kinds prestigious awards through competitions and public events . Since 1879 publishes the Journal of the Royal Academy of Medicine, and a classic of medical literature, and has the largest and most comprehensive historical library of Spain on health and medical issues. Currently the president is D. Manuel Díaz-Rubio García and has 47 tenured academics, and other academic fees, both English and foreign. Its headquarters is located in the street Arrieta Madrid, in a magnificent building from the early twentieth century.

continued tracking the press of the time and I soon discovered new information reaffirming, without doubt, that the Royal Academy of Medicine had a great prestige. Witness the fact that virtually all newspapers published in Madrid (The Fair, El Liberal, El País, The Globe, The Correspondence of Spain ...) posted on Monday, January 27, 1902 prominently, some at first page, similar chronic and extension text informing the inaugural session of the course 1902 from The Royal Academy of Medicine.

This solemn act was held the day before, Sunday 26, and during the protocol took place awards for the year 1901. Summary reproduce the review appeared in the newspaper El Liberal:

ACADEMY OF MEDICINE

inaugural session chaired by the Marquis de Guadalerzas, held yesterday afternoon, the inaugural meeting of this academic year The Royal Academy Medicine.
perpetual Secretary, Dr. D. Manuel Iglesias read a well written report referring to the work of the corporation in the previous year.
After Dr. D. Alejandro San Martin delivered a remarkable speech by referring to the <>.
and then were handed the prizes and supplies for the year 1901.
have been awarded (...) prizes (...) that of the Honourable Mr. José Calvo, Don Leon Piqueras Morte, medical Alcublas holder, Valencia (...)

So PHYSICIAN Alcublas HOLDER WAS IN HIS TIME (EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY) A REAL CELEBRITY doctor, get a reputable award from one of the most emblematic institutions of medicine in Spain. I was perplexed by this evidence, more so knowing Alcublas that nothing and nobody remembers Leon D. Morte ... Piqueras

of the above, there are still many unknowns . Without going any further, who was Piqueras Morte D. León, what does the scientific work presented, how the physician owner of a small town like Alcublas could get one of the most prestigious medical awards in Spain, what does regarding the medical study was awarded Alcublas?.

not easy questions to answer, since the documentation on this regard are scarce and fragmentary. However, if my research are the expected results, hope I can answer all these questions.


then try to answer some of the many unknowns that still remain unresolved regarding Piqueras Morte D. Leon, owner of Alcublas doctor during the last years of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, I must warn that there is still much to learn about the life and activities of such a distinguished doctor ... First, who was Mr. Leon Piqueras Morte?. There are very few data available. I could not find out exactly the location nor the exact year of his birth but must have been several indications in 1871. Probably around 1889, already 18 years old, he began to attend the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, in 1895 earning a degree in Medicine and Surgery at the university, although I do not have the information enough to confirm it with certainty. Moreover, do know with certainty that in 1896 it ranked medical Alcublas holder and, in November 1901 and was married with three children.

In connection with the prize won by D. José Calvo Leon Piqueras Morte, who was D. José Calvo and Martin?. Let's see. He was one of the foremost nineteenth-century English doctors. Personal physician of Alfonso XII, Academic (1851) and president of the Royal Academy of Medicine (1902). Responsible for the expansion of public health in 1887, director of public education and health and senator for the province of León, the Universidad de Zaragoza, Teruel province and for life. He excelled as a defender , licensed physicians and rural health. died on February 8, 1904, leaving a considerable sum of money to maintain the provision of medical prize bearing his name, a legacy that in 1926 took the legal form of foundation established within the Royal Academy of Medicine.

What was and who was eligible for this award?. To answer this question, which best reproduce the relevant part of Awards Program for 1901 and 1902 from the Royal Academy of Medicine, published in La Gaceta de Madrid on January 31, 1901:

Mr Award . Calvo and Martin
"consist of the amount of 375 pesetas and a special diploma, and he may opt to match Physicians responsible for care of the poor , with an allocation not exceeding 1,000 pesetas, married with children. Applicants must write a report of no more than 30 pages down to 4. º, which give news of an epidemic that may have attended, stating the number of cured and deaths, as well as medication that has been most helpful , and this is not possible, describe the most significant diseases that have attended to with dedication and spirit of charity, certifying these qualities the mayor and the parish priest.
Applications, accompanied by certification from the respective City Council, which prove all the points raised, and the parish priest, if any, extended in the appropriate stamped paper and the Report relating to significant disease outbreaks or to be forwarded to the Department of the Academy until four in the afternoon of November 30 of this year 1901, and The prize is awarded in the inaugural session of 1902.
can not claim the prize they have obtained in previous competitions.
Madrid January 2, 1901.

-President, Marquis of Guadalerzas .- The Secretary perpetual Iglesias and Manuel Diaz. "

What scientific work Leon D. presented Morte Piqueras José Calvo Award of the Royal Academy of Medicine?. memory was entitled "Leprosy or elephantiasis of the Greeks", 149-page, 8 º prolonged. As a result of being awarded, complete published in the Annals of the Royal Academy of Medicine in 1902, págs.126-174.

currently doctor about this job Piqueras Leon D. Morte, are preserved in the archives of the Royal Academy of Medicine (Leg. 158, DOC. 8287) the following documents:

I. Piqueras León instance in which he requests that his work "Leprosy or Elephantiasis of the Greeks "is admitted in the competition for awards in 1901 awarded by the Royal Academy of Medicine Award opting José Calvo (26-XI-1901)
II. Certificate by the Deputy Mayor of Alcublas (Valencia) on the work as a Medical Consultant in the locality by Leo Piqueras, signed by Vincent Martinez (Deputy Mayor) and Miguel Molina (Secretary) (Alcublas [Valencia], 24-XI-1901)
III. Certificate by Silvino Perez, Treasurer of Church of the City of Alcublas (26-XI-1901)
IV. Report of the work of Leon Piqueras. Draft, signed by Manuel Iglesias (20-XI-1901), Permanent Secretary of the Royal Academy of Medicine. [9] leaves. Served as the basis for the Commission issued its opinion Calvo Award. Being published also in the Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Medicine in 1902, págs.44-50.

How the doctor holds a small town like Alcublas gave him one of the most prestigious medical awards in Spain?. Precisely because the prize to José Calvo had to be a rural doctor. And deservedly. Let's see ...

At the invitation of 1901 chose to award holders José Calvo five doctors from various English cities. The Commission created by the Royal Academy to give an opinion, considered from the outset, two of them as "... of greater value and significance, so what it considers to such teachers as more creditors to the promised reward." In particular the Proceedings of "our" Lion Piqueras and D. Francisco Berenguer and Shepherd, owner of Two medical Barrios (Toledo), who was the "medical topography" of the said town of Toledo.

The final report of the Commission, however, left no doubt about the scientific quality of the work of Don Leon Piqueras Morte:

"... from the foregoing that the Report of Sr.Piqueras is a work of real merit (...) deserving, therefore, just praise and honor of the publication.
With the foregoing, the Commission believes that it is easy to discern which one is more deserving teachers Award in question. The Report of Sr.Piqueras
offers more scientific interest than the Sr.Berenguer and the concurrent masters, and in virtue proposed by the Commission, by unanimous vote to be awarded the Prize of Excellency. Sr.D.José Calvo and Martin Leon Piqueras Don Morte, Medical Alcublas holder in the province of Valencia.
Academy resolved, however, as deemed more appropriate.
Madrid, December 6, 1901. The President and Speaker, M. Iglesias .- .- Mariano A. Fernández Caro Carter and Muriel. "

This opinion was confirmed in the corresponding awards session held by the Royal Academy of Medicine, on 7 January 1902, reflected in the minutes of that meeting, signed by the President, the Marquis of Guadalerzas and perpetual Secretary, Manuel Iglesias and Diaz, the following: "... the author deserve the preference of work on <> and therefore, granting the Award the Hon. Sr.D.José Calvo, Don Leon Piqueras Morte, Medical Alcublas holder, province of Valencia. "

And what relationship did the study doctor awarded Alcublas?. Very simple, because at that time (late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries), leprosy was a major health problem in much of the province of Valencia and Alcublas in particular.

hope in a future collaboration in this blog PENA RAMIRO comment more about this work on leprosy and its implications Alcublas.

"leprosy or elephantiasis of the GREEK"

Continuing the series of entries for Leon D. Morte Piqueras, medical Alcublas holder during the last years of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, then I will focus on commenting on his work on leprosy (leprosy or elephantiasis of the Greeks "), which won the prestigious Jose Calvo in 1901, and published entirely in the Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Medicine in 1902, págs.126-174.


D. work Leon has FOREWORD Piqueras and the following eight chapters: CHAPTER I: HISTORICAL FRAGMENTS OF LEPROSY IN SPAIN; CHAPTER II: HISTORY OF LEPROSY in Alcublas ; CHAPTER III: SYNONYMY AND DEFINITION OF LEPROSY, WITH BRIEF COMMENTS RELEVANT TO THE DEFINITION such injury; CHAPTER IV: ETIOLOGY OF LEPROSY; CHAPTER V: LEPROSY HEREDITARY IF IF're contagious, Chapter VI: symptomatology of the disease; CHAPTER VII: PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY OF LEPROSY - PROGRESS, duration and terms and Chapter VIII: DIAGNOSIS, PROGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF LEPROSY.

The most interesting section of memory, without detracting from the rest, is the second chapter : "History of Leprosy in Alcublas" precisely dedicated to the clinical disease where a review on the origin of the epidemic Alcublas existing at the time of writing, ie 1901, and describes in some detail fourteen histories of "how many lepers as I found in Alcublas I took care of their health care. " Your reading can appreciate the thoroughness with which D. Piqueras León made the diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of the cases experienced by him in Alcublas.

leprosy epidemic was experiencing at that time Alcublas the attributes without any doubt to a woman from the village of Losa del Obispo that the spread : "We know that until 1860, it was (Alcublas) free of leprosy (...) when it began to be visited too often the this population by a leprous woman, a resident of Losa del Obispo (province Valencia) and street vendors clothes, which appeared invaded another person of the same sex (...) called Vicenta ML (...) thirty-nine-year-old from the village of Alcublas mentioned, with whom he had a close friendship.

turn, Vicenta ML, married, and is "dedicated to the tasks of their sex" initially transmitted the disease to her daughter for doing the "to others in the same locality, that usually turned out to be, pray for those who had some relationship with the originally tainted, now those that had touched more closely with them. "
And so " was established and formalized the leper in Alcublas endemic, and if it is true that the march of invasion of the germ that causes is too slow for the compelling reason (...) which terms of the spread of leprosy is very rare. And créome that, if not indisputable in all respects this statement, surely Alcublas in this village and we would be most leprosy patients (...). "


Then, as shown for the reader to make a more accurate and realistic idea of \u200b\u200bthis medical study, transcribe nearly complete the first four clinical observations of the fourteen reflected in the memory of D. Leon Piqueras. Out of respect for the privacy of any descendants, given the disease in question, only mention the initials of the surnames of the patients. reading progress that will not leave anyone indifferent

"Clinical Observation No.1.
Nicholas LN, twenty years old, a native of Alcublas, family, pastor by profession, and without a hereditary predisposition to the fact of having an aunt who died of leprosy, and also two sons of the same ( ...)
Refiriéronme his parents, who at fourteen he began to manifest on the face, arms and legs brownish spots of varying sizes. That went on for many times, but his health greatly alter that sprang up a large portion of packages in these regions, falling at the same time the eyebrows, and losing the sense in those. Of Thus, to say the same, little by little rioting disease (...).
For suffering symptoms of leprosy was mixed in ulcerative period and cachexia, as evidenced by the fact that he died a short time in such a deplorable state. "

" Clinical Observation No.2.
Francisco LC, thirty-two years old, a native of Alcublas, single, farmer by profession and without a hereditary predisposition or disease of any kind. They told me, both he and his parents, who did not remember having had a relationship with people tainted and therefore, he did not know the cause of his illness.
started it to twenty, in a way very similar to the leper who have chronicled above, continued to evolve in a similar way, and when I first visited, I saw that also suffered from leprosy ulcerative period, but not a state as advanced as that of the former leper.
I set as a system eminently restorative treatment: the use of arsenic and external antiseptic to combat various (...)"
ulcers suffered

" Clinical Observation No. 3.
Josefa AH, fifty-six years old, a native of Alcublas, widow and dedicated to the tasks of their sex, attributes the origin of the ailment that twelve years is suffering a terrible cooling experienced in Back then, especially in hands and feet.
states that began badly by the appearance of the listed vanvollas feet and hands that burst easily (...) The ulcerations that they were, healed in the early years with ease. It did not take long before ceased to notice the lack of sensation in the affected regions (...)
This continued for many years without advance nor retreat, but at last there came a time when some vanvollas of which were springing up spontaneously or to be opened, or that the burst itself, ended in injury became sore, with no tendency to healing.

With such medical history and specific anesthesia appreciated both forearms and hands and feet and legs of the patient, together with the subsequent mutilation, do not hesitate a moment to convince me that he suffered as the anesthetic leprosy. Later
has been making progress, of course, the aforementioned bad, although it has been tested very slowly, which corresponds to the course of leprosy is at hand (...) and that includes the many and varied injuries, both in the hands and feet, especially, has the unfortunate leper in question.
including the treatment, that is currently used, to a scheme to repair and antiseptics outside. "

" Clinical Observation No. 4.
Andrea LC, twenty-seven years old, a native of Alcublas, single and dedicated to the tasks of their sex, and sister of the leper who has led the observation No. 2, with whom he lived.
He told me that four years after the development of leprosy in his brother Francisco, he began to sprout morenuzcas she spots on the face of various sizes, which later were extended to the arms and legs, so that eventually a disappear while others persist indefinitely. After a while she can not identify, warned that the hair fell from various regions of the body (...) So
went bad progress so far as to appear on the face, and then in the extremities, some minor bumps chickpeas, and nonsensical at points that flowed, in which situation I found my arrival showing the following table:
(...) The disappearance of the eyebrows (...) to form truly leprous facies, dysphonic voice, distorted nose, and both oars in the upper and lower limits are noticed several spots of tan, sanious background ulcers and callous edges, and various tubers without ulcers yet.
before these symptoms (...) was diagnosed, leprosy in a mixed in ulcerative period. Currently most advanced are the multiple injuries that plague, and in spite of it absolutely refuses all medication has been prescribed, so we have proved fruitless that many has been used. "

Despite methodical and objective language used by our physician, these clinical observations impress the reader and leave a deposit of great sadness. A Ultimately, portrayed in all its rawness human dimension of leprosy, ie, the suffering of human beings suffering from a horrible disease that is slowly undermining their health, with no signs of healing, since at that time the treatments were very effective and became incurable, and with the sole possible closer or later as cases, a terrible and inevitable death.

the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the number one health problem was Alcublas leprosy.

I hope in a future collaboration in this blog PENA RAMIRO, of telling the commendable work undertaken D. Leon Piqueras Morte from his position as attending physician in the fight against this terrible disease and, therefore, for improving public health of the inhabitants of Alcublas ...



A FORGOTTEN SAD. Continuing
entries on the medical D. Leon Piqueras Morte then relate the outstanding work he undertook, from his position as attending physician, the general improvement of public health in Alcublas, especially in the fight against leprosy: the number one health problem Alcublas the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The June 14, 1891 approving the Regulations for the beneficial health service of the people, being implemented the requirement that all municipalities not exceed the 4,000 residents, as was the case Alcublas, contracts from municipal budgets a licensed physician in the possession of "... certificate issued by the Universities of the Kingdom of Doctor or Bachelor" for the attendance of each group of "one to 300 poor families." Families must be registered in the respective municipalities. Reprinted as an example, original copy of a certificate June 27, 1899, written and signed by the Secretary of the City of Alcublas, headed by the Mayor, a neighbor recognized as poor of solemnity.

According to the Regulations art.3 June 1891, were considered poor neighbors :
"1. º Those who do not contribute directly to amount to the Treasury and are included in the allocations to cover provincial and municipal expenditures. Excepting from this rule without having to pay any direct contribution to the State, Province or the Municipality, enjoy retirement, severance or pension, irrespective of their origin. 2. º a living wage or any wage. 3 º Those who enjoy a salary or pension less than a bracero in the respective area and have one single resource. 4 º The poor orphans and foundlings breast-feed and breed on behalf of the Public Welfare in the respective jurisdictions.

D. Piqueras Leon was hired in 1896, recently obtained his degree in medicine and surgery, as Medical Consultant for the care of these patients Alcublas poor, probably for four years . Contract should be renewed in 1900 for a similar period, as was customary, and with an annual allocation of 750 pesetas, the minimum wage at the time. No data to indicate whether D. Leon Piqueras beyond 1904, which set no time limits tenure holders in place when they approved the General Instruction of Public Health January 12, 1904, continued Physician Alcublas Holder.

The main functions assigned to it D. Leon Piqueras also of the already mentioned of address, and vaccinated poor families, were included in its contract with the city and consisted of: take care of poor passers; visit public schools (the boys and girls) and other public premises to inspect sanitary conditions, exercise vigilance in the cemetery burials and health, and inspect, in conjunction with the veterinary professor, Slaughter Houses. Also, D. Piqueras Leon is comprised of office, along with the mayor and other local dignitaries, the Municipal Board of Health Alcublas.

At the same time, also acted health practice free the rest of the families of Alcublas, although in this case by a system which has prevailed until well into the twentieth century, medical IGUALA the . This was that the neighbors are not legally considered poor paid voluntarily to the doctor once a year, a small amount of money equal (hence the name), with which they acquired the right to medical attention if needed. Those who could not or would not cover the IGUALA had to pay each visit. With this dual wage system (a small fixed amount by the City Council and the rest paid by the residents), the physician could maintain a stable level income.

However, the economic position D. Piqueras in Alcublas Leon was never particularly well off. Many of the families did not have fixed resources, subject entirely to the whim of a good or bad harvest (to be laborers or small owners), so that before any mishap left to pay the SAME. In turn, this impacted negatively on the community health Alcublas since the already precarious health conditions in which they lived most of their inhabitants, adding that to a disease, albeit serious, not being a day in payment of the same or to afford the query took too long to seek medical aid.

Despite this, the dedication of D. Leon Piqueras, like most doctors in his time, he did attend for free to whoever needs it, saving many lives. Show your concern for the health of the residents of Alcublas is a copy of the original certificate in his own handwriting, which attached as an illustration in this post, issued on June 27, 1899 for admission to the Provincial Hospital from a neighbor , suffering from a severe cataracts that prevented her from working.

The health situation in rural areas at the time that D. Leon Medical Piqueras was Alcublas Holder, with a high rate of infant mortality and low life expectancy, can be described as very difficult, mainly due to three factors: the lack of good health administration, a minimal culture hygiene in all strata of society, and resources for basic needs such as food or medicine, among the lower classes. infectious diseases linked to unhealthy situation generally wreaked havoc among the population, being responsible for about 70% of deaths.

In Alcublas addition to the above problems of public health, added there was another serious threat: an epidemic of leprosy that had been unleashed on the population, caused in 1860 by the arrival of a leprous woman from a neighboring village . In the words of D. Leon Piqueras Morte: "... have Alcublas elders, who have been invaded since 1860 until 1896, I undertook this game doctor, more than forty persons of both sexes, predominantly females, and twelve years on, even the old " . Of these, four cases diagnosed after his arrival in 1896, and fourteen in total until the end of 1901, the date of its report "leprosy or elephantiasis of the Greeks."

current life in the early twentieth century for the inhabitants of Alcublas daily became more difficult and contentious because of leprosy, and what does not seem to be surprisingly oral memory. On the one hand, growing domestic rejection to their own neighbors infected, and another, all alcublanos when they visited the nearby villages began to feel they were treated with increasing distrust. Keep in mind that in the mountains, at that time, leprosy was a rarity and the only known outbreaks of infection were Alcublas addition, the very town of slab, place of origin of the woman who carried the disease or the nearby Alcublas Higueruelas.

The anguish was so great they started to become unbearable for the sick. One of them, do not have data on more cases, could take no more of these circumstances and, in desperation, took the drastic step of suicide: "... given the multiple injuries and mutilation engenders, causing disgust and horror of his fellow men, in some cases has been disrupted because of those, in terms of resorting to suicide, which occurred in this population (Alcublas), in a case of this kind, last January (1901). "

To all this, what was the action of D. Piqueras lion against this state of affairs?. COPY. No other word possible . Upon arrival at Alcublas in 1896 (remember that this was a young recent graduate), was perfectly aware of the magnitude of the health risk posed by the leprosy, because he had diagnosed the first cases. And before this, did not hesitate to report first to the Municipal Board of Health Alcublas and later to the Provincial Board, which showed a total passivity. In its report "leprosy or elephantiasis of the Greeks" (in 1901) complained quite bitterly about the "neglect" that the government demonstrating its failure view "... in the presence of endemic lepers." Well

were not for the efforts and persistence of D. Leon Piqueras, or because they decided to disclose what was happening, the truth is that the press, including national, was quick to echo the news of the existence of cases of leprosy in Alcublas. So newspaper "El Siglo Futuro" of January 27, 1897 published the following news:
"In the village of Alcublas there has been a disease with characteristics very similar to leprosy.
By direction of the civil governor has gone to that population the Health Officer, who has been commissioned to study whether or not that evil is supposed to combat it, if true, quite effectively. "

And the following on 28 ("The Fair") and 29 ("El Siglo Futuro") repeated the news:
"The medical delegate sent by the governor to the people of Alcublas to ask if that town there are cases of leprosy, has telegraphed confirming the accuracy of what was particular about the manifest to the authority expressed.
says he has seen five people suffering from this disease, well characterized, and adds that he arranged for the installation of a hospital to isolate patients. "

And on February 1 ("The Correspondence of Spain") still published:
"The health inspector of the province, Mr. Galván, visited the village of Alcublas, isolating several cases of leprosy which had presented. "

As one would expect, the scandal grew and grew, surfaced and other locations that had affected the disease, such as Malferit Ayelo of three cases, forcing Health subdelegation Onteniente to visit these people. So too were quick to spread alarmist rumors, amplified by a local newspaper, for "... that is Grao had been a case of leprosy, quickly denied by the Governor Civil and Health Inspector of the province ( "La Epoca" February 3, 1897).

Finally, a show that made the journalistic issue of leprosy continue in the topical press until August of that year 1897 ("The Impartial day 21), with controversy came with the newcomer, his appointment had been issued on June 15 in La Gaceta de Madrid, civil governor D. Jose Novillo (English Correspondence "of day 24). But we know that the press, as happens also today, quickly loses interest and the subject of leprosy returned to absolute oblivion. And the hospital would be installed in Alcublas?. Its construction was never heard. Too bad ...
Given the serious in Spain was getting leprosy, health authorities finally had no choice but to act: with new and more stringent official regulations, with the introduction of more reliable statistical data collection, with more investment in public health; shaping up as the national hospital, and giving public funds to the colony Fontilles sanatorium, opened in 1909 in Vall de Laguardia (Alicante) , etc. At the same time, multiplied medical studies, dissertations, publications, etc. about this disease. This, combined with prophylactic measures, improved hygiene among the population and control of the sick, got from the beginning of the decade of the 30 cases in Spain were declining, leaving definitely controlled leprosy in the 50 with the emergence of new drugs.

What was our doctor?. The track of the whereabouts of D. Leon Piqueras Morte lost early twentieth century, not knowing if you followed some years in Alcublas as Medical Consultant. The only certainty is that with the passage of time, nothing and no one remembers Alcublas D. Leon Piqueras Morte, is today a perfect stranger for alcublanos. a sad climax to this great doctor who did so much Alcublas public health. I hope this series of four entries in this blog has served modestly PENA RAMIRO to repair some of this neglect ...

A final point to finish. I was not born or reside or work in Alcublas, nor I have or have had family alcublanos (who knows), therefore I do not believe in a position to advise on what to do or not do in Alcublas. Only say that I totally identify with the words of a caller of this blog PENA RAMIRO that wrote on January 13, 2010 16:42 pm commenting on 3rd party tickets on D. Leon Piqueras Morte: "... one of the most famous people who have worked in our town, some recognition he could do. What unless a street ... or medical center! ".




Note: To thank the generous assistance of a alcublana, who prefers not to disclose his name, for providing two valuable manuscripts certified June 27, 1899 attached as illustrations.





By Juan Antonio Fernández Peris of
Chelva Hiking Centre and blog contributor PENA RAMIRO