[Urological pathology in the memoires and critiques of the Literary Meetings of the San Carlos Royal College in Madrid (1788-1834)].
OBJECTIVE
The urologic cases presented for discussion to the Board of the San Carlos Royal College of Surgery (Madrid), created in 1787 by royal decree of King Carlos III for the education and training of surgeons attending the general population, are reviewed. Their contents and the stage of the art of urology in that period are analyzed.


METHODS
303 records in the archives of the Faculty of Medicine of the Complutensis University of Madrid, presented to the Board of the San Carlos Royal College of Surgery for discussion at their regular meetings on Thursday, during the period spanning 1788-1834, were reviewed. A complete list of urologic cases and a transcription of the description of a bladder procedure are presented.


RESULTS
69 urologic cases were found. Lithiasis was the most common, followed by voiding disorders that encompass all urethrovesical conditions. Complications, such as fistula and abscess, account for a large part of the cases reported, followed by testicular and scrotal pathology (basically hydrolece), veneral disease and their complications of stricture and infection. The surgical techniques mainly comprised lithotomy (with analysis of the different perineal approaches), bladder punction for retention, urethrotomy, circumcision and surgical treatment of hydrocele by castration or punction.


CONCLUSIONS
The urologic cases reviewed by the Board of the San Carlos Royal College of Surgery were basically those of the most common conditions of that period, mainly lithiasis and voiding disorders arising from urethrovesical conditions and their complications, as well as diseases of the male genitalia. The surgical techniques focussed mainly on the description of stone removal by the perineal approach and castration or punction for hydrocele. The reports and reviews followed the principles of galenic and hippocratic medicine. The impact of European advancements were only observed in the latter stages. Undoubtedly, these records and reviews have made an outstanding contribution to the 18th and early 19th century Spanish medical literature.
Pérez Albacete
Mariano
M
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, España.
D002369:Castration / Q000266:history; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000266:history*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D008499:Medical Records; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000266:history; D013030:Spain; D014495:Universities / Q000266:history*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery