[Chilean medicine during the government of President Balmaceda].

This is a conference dictated on the occasion of the centennial of the First Chilean Medical Congress, the foundation of the first Public Health Council and the School of Medicine of the University of Chile (1889). During the government of president Balmaceda, prominent Chilean physicians and University professors were closely linked to the presidency, often in public office or Congress. The conditions were then created for an accelerated development of many aspects of Chilean Medicine, including the construction of 20 general hospitals nationwide, and major sanitary advances. Medical education was greatly improved by changes in curriculum following the European tradition. At the first Chilean Medical Congress, plans for a national policy for public health protection were elaborated. After 100 years, the action of such founders of Chilean Medicine can only be nostalgically admired.