Hipólito Rodríguez Pinilla (1860-1936) and the strategies to institutionalize spanish Medical Hydrology

Abstract

Hipólito Rodríguez Pinilla became the first professor of the School of Medical Hydrology in 1913 when it was created as an optional subject for the doctorate degree in the Central University of Madrid, the only one that offered the possibility of obtaining this specialization. As a member of the Baths Doctors Body, he undertook the direction of several spas between the years 1887 and 1933 (year in which he retired) during which he wrote many monographies and put down many records. From his position in the School and in the Royal Academy of Medicine (which he reached in 1924), he extended scientific knowledge on mineral medicinal waters and on climatology amongst medical professional and the general society. He was convinced of the need to promote investigation and specialization, both unreachable through the existing institutions, thus deciding the disintegration of the Baths Doctors Body.