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As of the introduction of anesthesia on the Island, on March 11, 1847 there was a progressive advance in the development of surgery. In Cienfuegos it would be a milestone when the surgeon Alfredo Méndez introduced it between 1901 and 1902; and its use has increased at present. The main actions that have been developed by the Anesthesiology and Resuscitation specialty in the general hospitals in Cienfuegos were described. The book of the Clinical Anesthesiology, in its first and second editions, was revised. Interviews were conducted with protagonists who were part of the development of the specialty in Cienfuegos. The main facts that were developing the specialty of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation in the province were found since the beginning of the 20th century with the application of chloroform and ether by Alfredo Méndez surgeon and how it continues its development with doctors dedicated to anesthesia in the beginning of the second half of the 1950s; the development in the Civil Hospital and private clinics, until the triumph of the Revolution and until nowadays in the XXI century. Anesthesia in Cienfuegos was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century, having a constant task in the development of this discipline, as well as the integration of the specialty to the Anesthesiology Resuscitation and Pain Cuban Society, being its provincial group and chapter.

As of the introduction of anesthesia on the Island, on March 11, 1847 there was a progressive advance in the development of surgery. In Cienfuegos it would be a milestone when the surgeon Alfredo Méndez introduced it between 1901 and 1902; and its use has increased at present. The main actions that have been developed by the Anesthesiology and Resuscitation specialty in the general hospitals in Cienfuegos were described. The book of the Clinical Anesthesiology, in its first and second editions, was revised. Interviews were conducted with protagonists who were part of the development of the specialty in Cienfuegos. The main facts that were developing the specialty of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation in the province were found since the beginning of the 20th century with the application of chloroform and ether by Alfredo Méndez surgeon and how it continues its development with doctors dedicated to anesthesia in the beginning of the second half of the 1950s; the development in the Civil Hospital and private clinics, until the triumph of the Revolution and until nowadays in the XXI century. Anesthesia in Cienfuegos was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century, having a constant task in the development of this discipline, as well as the integration of the specialty to the Anesthesiology Resuscitation and Pain Cuban Society, being its provincial group and chapter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doctor Alfredo Méndez Aguirre was an outstanding medical and social personality in Cienfuegos during the first third of the xx century. The most significant aspects about his life and studies of Medicine are highlighted, as well as the postgraduate courses that he received later in France. Analyzed through different scenarios where he acted as an eminent surgeon, we refer to his contribution to the spreading of abdominal, prostatic and gynecological surgery in Cienfuegos, besides other innovations of high importance for the Cuban Medicine at that time. It is described his brilliant performance as director of the Hospital Civil and the Sanatorio Purísima Concepción de la Colonia Española, enhancing all the transformations, improvements, amplifications and openings of new services carried out in both centers under his guidance and supervision. all the recognitions received for different institutions and people in general were mentioned too, for his fruitful work and, particularly, for their performance during the epidemic of Influenza of 1918, that deserved him the title of exemplary citizen.

Brief biographical data are exposed about the nurse Victoria Brú Sánchez, such as her birth, childhood and adolescent years. Some factors are mentioned that influenced in their vocational orientation toward the Infirmary, such as her family antecedents and personal experiences when witnessing other epidemics that whipped our population in those years. We refer too her life as student of the School of Nurses in the Hospital Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de La Habana. It is mentioned as well all the places where she worked after graduation and the different positions that she occupied during its brief, but brilliant, professional life. The most characteristic features in her personality and her self-denying and heroic behavior, are analyzed, principally during the epidemic of Influenza that affected Cienfuegos in the year 1918, moment in which she lost the life trying to help other people.