[Pedro Martin Martinez, professor of anatomy at the General Hospital of Madrid].
OBJECTIVE
The study of the anatomical works written by Martín Martinez and his relationship with urology. Also, the appreciation of his open scientific mentality and scepticism in a historic environment imbued of a scholastic spirit and dogmatism.


METHODS
Several Martin Martinez's works were reviewed, mainly the treaty Complete human anatomy, entire text obtained from the electronic page of the Complutense University library, and also the words from other authors of his time.


RESULTS
The medical and philosophical personality of Martin Martinez and his influence in the medical knowledge in the Spanish Court during the first quarter of the 18th century are ascertained. The importance he had as Professor of anatomy in the functioning and development of the Madrid's Anatomical Amphitheater in the General Hospital and his positive repercussion on the training of students and surgeons of that time and posterior years is appreciated. Writing his works in Spanish contributed to it.


CONCLUSIONS
Although he cannot be considered an outstanding scientific personality in comparison with authors from other European countries, he must be recognized for his great merit with his open mind and his labour against dogmatism in front of the blocked-in-servility medical mentality, and also in the study of classic authors from previous centuries.
Saíz Carrero
Ataulfo
A
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Morañón, Madrid, España. sacarat@terra.es
D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000266:history*; D013030:Spain; D014572:Urology / Q000266:history