[The tuberculous world of Maxence Van der Meersch].

Maxence Van der Meersch (1907-1951) was a French writer whose novels encompassed social inequities of the time. Among them, those related to tuberculosis are of special interest. This was a common disease that affected his family members and ultimately caused his death.

[Outcome of surgery for Crohn's colitis. Review of 28 cases].

Background: Exclusive involvement of the colon or rectum in Crohn's disease, called Crohn's colitis, (CC) occurs in about 25% of these patients.

Aim: To analyze early surgical results and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for CC.

Material And Methods: Review of a prospective database, identifying patients with Crohn's disease operated between 2003 and 2015 and excluding those with ileocecal disease.

[History of scrofula: from humoral dyscrasia to consumption].

The term “scrofula” was used for a long time to designate a chronic swelling of cervical lymph nodes. This paper outlines the prevalent ideas on the nature, pathogenesis and the treatment of this disorder, from classical Greek medicine up to the 18th century. A Hippocratic treatise regarded scrofula as produced by an accumulation of phlegm, with a consequent imbalance or dyscrasia of the body humors.

[The importance of rest in sanatoria for tuberculous patients].

Since ancient times the main indication for the treatment of pulmonary phthisis consisted in prescribing trips to better climates, horseback riding or walking outdoors. In the second half of the XIXth century, the concept of sanatoria for TB therapy was developed in Europe, in order to confine patients in premises where abundant food, exposition to pure air and graded exercises were provided. In those places, rest progressively acquired more importance, becoming a thoroughly established ritual.

[A biographical sketch of Professor Benedicto Chuaqui, MD].

The present article commemorates the fifth anniversary of the death of Professor Benedicto Chuaqui Jahiatt, a prominent Chilean pathologist at the School of Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Professor Chuaqui was well known for his teaching skills, his scientific work with international projections and his humanistic vision of medicine. His publications reflect, his wide spectrum and integrative vision of different disciplines of both natural sciences and linguistics.

[Ileorectal anastomosis in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis: long-term results].

Background: Total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) is an alternative to the ileoanal pouch for the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis in a selected group of patients. This technique leaves rectal mucosa liable to develop persistent proctitis, dysplasia and cancer.

Aim: To describe short and long-term results of IRA and to assess the presence of dysplasia.