title: [Rural medical practice at the beginning of the 20th century. Martínez Saldise (1855-1937), honorary member of Paediatric Society of Madrid in 1927].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On the centenary of the foundation of the Paediatrics Society of Madrid, a tribute is presented to rural medical practice of that time, although there are few documents on the history of rural medicine. The main objective is to describe the context of the rural medical practice in the late 19th and beginning 20th century, while presenting a historical biographical review of Manuel Martínez Saldise, who was medical specialist from Cazalegas (Toledo). He was appointed an Honorary Member by the Paediatrics Society of Madrid in 1927.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search was carried out in repositories of digitized media, web portals of history of medicine, PubMed, IME files of local councils and medical colleges. The family archives were reviewed with the collaboration of his descendants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hiring of rural doctors was carried out by the municipalities, and the salary largely depended on private practice as well as "retainers". Specialist physicians took part in epidemics, legal medicine, and in hygiene measures. They also had disputes with mayors, chiefs, with colleagues and with protectionism. A summary of the biography and occupational activity of Manuel Martínez Saldise is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rural doctors were subjected to the society of their time, with the issues that arose, denouncing the shortcomings of the local administrations, dedicated efforts to their family and the most disadvantaged.
authors: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada y Comité de Historia de la Asociación Española de Pediatría, Madrid, España. Electronic address: miguelzafraanta@gmail.com.
authors: Miguel Ángel
authors: MÁ
authors: Zafra Anta
authors: Ciencias Empresariales, Madrid, España.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Flores Martín
authors: Centro de Salud Ribeira y Comité de Historia de la Asociación Española de Pediatría, La Coruña, España.
authors: Fernando Julio
authors: FJ
authors: Ponte Hernando
authors: Centro de Salud Francia y Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España.
authors: Andrés
authors: A
authors: Gil García
authors: Grado de Medicina, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Gómez López
authors: Centro de Salud Francia y Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Fernández Durán
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D013030:Spain
keywords: Early decades of the 20th century; Historia; History; Medicina rural; Médicos titulares; Principios del siglo XX; Rural medical practice; Titular physicians