[A tribute to the memory of the illustrious maestro and academic Dr. Rafael Méndez Martínez, pioneer in the pharmacological studies of digitalis and digitalis glycosides].

Since the end of the XVIII century, digitalis glycosides were employed in heart failure. They were considered initially as diuretics and later as cardiotonic agents or as positive inotropics. At the present time there are varied groups of positive inotropic agents, which have a beneficial action on the failing human myocardium.

On New Spain and Mexican medicinal botany in cardiology.

Towards the middle of the XVI century, the empirical physician Martín de la Cruz, in New Spain, compiled a catalogue of the local medicinal herbs and plants, which was translated into Latin by Juan Badiano, professor at the Franciscan college of Tlatelolco. On his side, Dr. Francisco Hernández, the royal physician (protomédico) from 1571 until 1577, performed a systematic study of the flora and fauna in this period.

[An overview of the history of electro-vectorcardiography. Tribute to the memory of the unforgettable Dr. Gustavo A. Medrano Castro].

The history of the investigations about of the so-called irritability of animal tissues showed by English physician Francis Glisson in the 17th century, is summarized. During the 18th century, reliable studies on the bioelectric properties of these tissues began, due to the Swiss scientist Albrecht von Haller and continuated by the Italian naturalist Felice Fontana. In the second half of this century, multiple controversies of the partisans of the animal electricity against the partisans of the contact electricity took place.

[Atrioventricular defect with 2 valves associated with absence of the pericardium. Report of a case].

We present a case of a patient with a cardiac malformation that represents a form of embryo-anatomical transition of an atrioventricular septal defect between a 2 valves form to a common valve form. This entity was associated with pericardium absence. Throughout several studies we have precisely established a diagnostic sequence by determining the adequate contribution of each method and we have been able to clear out the proper nomenclature of the atrioventricular cushion defect.

About the specialized myocardial conducting tissue.

The chronological succession of discoveries on the location and structure of the atrio-ventricular conducting system are described. The starting point of this system is located in the sinus atrial node, identified by the English scientists A. Keith and M.

[Gradual knowledge of the structure and function of the cardiovascular system].

The first anatomical lexicon was established in old Egypt, Alexandría by the priests who ritually offered all the parts of the human corpses to their gods. About 500 years b. C.

How electricity was discovered and how it is related to cardiology.

We relate the fundamental stages of the long road leading to the discovery of electricity and its uses in cardiology. The first observations on the electromagnetic phenomena were registered in ancient texts; many Greek and Roman writers referred to them, although they provided no explanations. The first extant treatise dates back to the XIII century and was written by Pierre de Maricourt during the siege of Lucera, Italy, by the army of Charles of Anjou, French king of Naples.

[Electro-histological comparison in a case of Chagasic chronic cardiomyopathy].

The case of a 50 years old man, coming from an endemic Chagas' disease zone, is reported. This patient came with a dilated cardiomyopathy, likely of Chagasic etiology, and heart failure. He died in our Institute, were it was possible to register an ECG, and perform the necropsy, on the same day of his death.

[On the epistemological approaches to medicine].

The doctrine of correct reasoning was developed in the Western World as logic. This is an activity of the intellect that apparently began with Zeno of Elea, being formalized by Aristotle, and which received its name from the Stoic philosopher Chrysippus. It corresponds to the structure or anatomy of thought.

[Professional ethics of physicians].

Socrates is considered the great classic moralist, although he was not the first to take care of man and morality. Aristotle instituted ethics as an autonomous science and clearly defined its fields, its methods and its purposes, formulating the concept of "happy medium". In the Aristotelian methodology we find traces of Hippocrates, who believed that the physician must always consider the peculiar aspects and that the individual characteristics' determinations can be reached by sensitivity.

[On the origins of modern science].

The Renaissance savants essentially repelled the scholastic translations and commentaries of the ancient writings. Nevertheless, they did not reach a modern vision of experimental science. Moreover, education at the universities was not credited for the development of science.

[On Academics and Academicians. Historical sketch].

First Academies originated in Italy at the beginnings of the Renaissance. Their works were of encyclopedic extent. Regarding to scientific academies, the first was the "Accademia dei Lincei" founded in Rome on August 17, 1603, due to the initiative of four young men; three naturalists and a physician.

[Physicians and surgeons during the inquisition in new Spain].

The origins of New Spain Inquisition whose jurisdiction extended also to Philippine Islands, are related herein. Physicians and surgeons who worked as Inquisition officers are discussed, from the first Dr. Juan de la Fuente who was appointed on May 9, 1572, to Dr.

[Notes on ancient Islamic medicine].

Arab medicine arose as a consequence of the assimilation and breeding of Hellenistic medicine, particularly of Galenic medicine. It reached its high point between the X and XII centuries and, after the XIII century, lost all creative capabilities. Nevertheless, it achieved the status of being an incentive for European medieval medicine.

[200 years of the smallpox vaccine].

The expression "inoculation of smallpox" was first employed by Emanuele Timone, native of Chios island and graduated from the Universities of Padua and Oxford. He learned about this procedure in Constantinople. This method was introduced in North America, during the great epidemic outbreak of 1721, by two Bostonian citizens: Cotton Mather and Zabdiel Boylston.