The Rise and Development of Chemistry in the Argentine Republic VICTOR ARREGUINE* University of Cordoba, Cordoba,R. A.
HE DEVELOPMENT of chemistry in Argentina is a relatively recent event; little more than a century has elapsed since the permanent foundations were laid. The history may be divided into two distinct periods. The first covers the initiation of instruction related to chemistry and its allied branches, such as pharmacy. The second period, of much later date, embraces the development of chemical industries. Both of these growths are linked directly to other movements and are related to different events. The &st period was influenced by the institutional developments of the nation, the second resulted from the potential economic strength of the country. Both had an uncertain beginning, but they were favored by the existence of cultural centers a t Buenos Aires and Cordoba. At the end of the 19th century these two cities were the only ones possessing universities. During the long colonial period, the commercial restrictions imposed by the mother country (Spain) permitted the countries of the Plata basin very little economic progress and growth; they were obliged to trade exclusively with her through faraway custom houses. The wealth of these countries a t that time was concentrated almost entirely in the cattle industry; the development of agriculture only began after the fall of the dictator-tyrant Rozas in 1853. Nonetheless, despite the unfavorable circumstances, Fernando de Trejo y Sanahria in 1614 founded the University of Cordoba, and Doctor Dnarte Quiros started the Real Colegio Convictorio de Nnestra Seiiora de Montserrat in 1695. Likewise, the able and progressive Viceroy V&tiz, in 1778, established the Real Colegio de San Carlos a t Buenos Aires. The first instruction in chemistry and physics was given in this school. All of the nation's energies were absorbed for half a century in the war of independence and in civil wars. This chaotic period closed with the battle of Caseros in 1852. In the midst of this storm and stress, President Rivadavia in 1821 founded the University of Buenos Aires, which included the first professorship of pure chemistry. The origin and rudimentary development of chemistry in Spanish-speaking America was an outgrowth of the therapeutic needs of the Spanish conquerors. It followed the usual lines of early pharmacology: it was filled with the crass empiricism that prevailed during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was tinged with alchemy,
T
it was mainly entrusted to the hands of monks, whose chronicles make up the chief records that have come down to our age. The first chair of applied chemistry was created in 1802 by Viceroy VQtiz. The incumbent was Cosme Argerich who had studied at Cervera. He. like his father, was a physician; his course is described as "vast and complicated." It did not prosper; de Pino, who had succeeded V&tiz, did not approve of the way the course was developing and ordered its suppression Rivadavia reinstated this subject as part of the curriculum in 1823, and Manuel Moreno, brother of the illustrious scholar and patriot, was given the appointment. Dr. Manuel Moreno was intimately linked with the cultural circles of the United States; this is an instance of the degree of understanding and solidarity that existed among the people of the Westem Hemisphere a century ago. He accompanied his brother Mariono when the latter was sent on diplomatic mission by the Revolutionary Council to negotiate a t the British court for the recognition of the independence of the provinces of La Plata. However, Mariono died at sea before reaching England. Later, Manuel Moreno came to the United States, studied medicine, and graduated from the University of Maryland. He became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science at Boston and also of the Historical Society of Massachusetts.' During this period, the study of natural science and physics and chemistry received considerable impetus in the Argentine Republic. Prime movers in this upgrowth were such men as the botanist A. J. A. Bonpland (van Hnmboldt's associate) and the Italian physicist 0. F. Mossotti. However, the enthusiasm was short lived, and not much was done until the country was definitely organized by Urqniza in 1853. The very next year, Miguel Puigari with Per& and Albarellos was entrusted with the chair of chemistry that had been left vacant by Moreno in 1828. The chemist, Domingo Parodi, who was born in Italy, belongs in this period. He is particularly remembered for his studies of the native flora. The first railroads were built in 1857; agricultural colonies were started in 1854. However, it was not until about 1870 that the country began really to progress. Two illustrious men tried to vitalize the cultural at-
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1 ZAPPI, "Bosquejo sohre el desarrollo hist6rico de 1os conocimientos quimicos en la Repfiblica Argentina" (Sketches of the historical development of chemical knowledge in the Argentine Republic).
*The Spanish manuscript was translated into English by Albert Radriquez and then edited by Ralph E. Oesper.
mosphere of the Argentinian universities. The first, President Sarmiento, who had visited the United States, sought the expert advice of Hermann Burmeister, the German naturalist, in the selection of a faculty. There were thus gathered a t Cordoba such men as Lorentz, Hieronymus, and Kurtz (botanists), Sierverts, Diiring, and Harperath (chemists), Bodenbender (geologist), and Carlos Berg (naturalist). Likewise, Juan Maria Gutihez, Dean of the University of Buenos Aires, laid the foundation of the now wellknown Facultad de Ingeneria by securing the services of Speluzzi, Stroebel, and Emilio Rossetti. The real leaders in the teaching of chemistry at that time were John J. Kyle, whose austere personality acquires greater fame as the years pass by, and Pedro N. Arate, whose patriarch-like figure and cultured spirit are still cherished memories among Argentinian chemists. Herrero Dncloux, in wonderful style, has written the story of these lives, that of Kyle by request of the Argentine Chemical Society,' that of Arata as a tribute from a pupil to his teacher.' Kyle was born at Stirling (Scotland) in 1838. He came to the Plata while still a young man, but with his personality well molded. He had studied chemistry in the Medical School a t Edinburgh and later was the head of a laboratory in Glasgow. Argentina was at war with Paraguay when he arrived; the young foreigner joined the troops and took part in the battles of Tuyutl and Boqueron (1866). I n 1872 he graduated as a pharmacist and from then on was very active in chemical affairs. He was appointed professor of chemistry in the University and also in the National College of Buenos Aires. As councillor and academician in the Universities of Cordoba and Buenos Aires he exerted notable influence; he was the founder of the Anales Cientificos Argentinos, etc. Arata was born at Buenos Aiies in October, 1849. Though he was trained in medicine, his real activities were in chemistry. He was an illustrious, fair-minded, and irreplaceable teacher. Together with Huergo, White, Francisco Moreno, Puigarl, and others he founded the Sodedad Cieutifica Argentina. The government constantly consulted him on all sorts of chemical questions. He inspired such respect and his opinions were so highly valued, that his biographer is justified in stating that Arata was the "Pontiff of Chemistry" of his time. Both Arata and Kyle were prolific writers. Their books and papers form the beginning of the Argentinian literature on chemistry. It was their initiative and wise counsel that directly or indirectly resulted in the establishment of many official institutions that produced trained chemists in the generations that followed. The present period can be considered as starting in 1897. In that year the "Facultad de Ciencias Exactas FIsicas y Naturales" instituted a cumculum leading to
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Duc~omr.Andes
(1919).
dc lo sociedad quLmica argnrlina, 7, 166
a Duc~0u.x."Pedro N. Arata, su vida y sus obras." Emisfa dc la faculfad de cienciar gulmicas de L a Plafa, 1,265 (1923).
the doctorate in chemistry. The first graduate was Enrique Herrero Ducloux. He exerted a tremendous influence on the generations of chemists who studied under him, not only because of his ability but also because of his great culture and his high-minded spirit as teacher and philosopher. The Schools of Pharmacy, though a part of the university, had little or no contact with the chemical faculty, because they were operated and controlled within the faculty of medicine. The duplication of facilities and dispersion of energy have always been a serious matter and, with the exception of the University of La Plata where the situation was effectively managed, have become a decided handicap in the universities and colleges. As early as 1870. Carlos Murray, president of the Sociedad de Farmacia, in a long and cogent reporL4 urged the government to establish an independent faculty, where instruction in chemistry could be centralized. Too many interests were involved; the petition was not granted. In 1875 Kyle, with dogged persistence, brought up the question again. proposing that the Pharmaceutical College be transferred from the medical faculty to the faculty of physical and natural sciences, which had just been established.
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' MURRAY, RNistu forrnac6utica. 7,170 (1869).
Again the vested interests succeeded in blocking the plan, but the fact was clearly established that the problem would have to be solved a t a not too distant date. The record of the memorable meeting, in which Kyle, like a Don Quijote, assailed the existing conditions, was published in the Rm'sta farmucbutica. It has the force of a historical document, as i t sets forth clearly the arguments advanced for and against the proposal. This controversy, which is still unsettled, is by no means a purely academic squabble. The situation has led to serious evils such as plurality of titles, scattering of instructional facilities and talents, and the founding of manifold institutions, which have impeded the scientific progress of the country while increasing its expenses. It has led to the institution of the biochemistry doctorate on the one hand, and of the degree in chemical engineering on the other. This, in itself, is perhaps defensible, but it has had the unfortunate consequence of scattering facilities that might and should have been centralized in conformity to a harmonious and welldefined plan. Some time in the future, this problem will have to be boldly faced and solved in accord with the best interests of science and the nation. Chemistry is taught in five of the six universities. the exception is the youngest school a t Cuyo. The Uni-
versity of Buenos Aires has two independent centers of chemical instruction. The course leading to the doctorate in chemistry and the industrial engineering course are attached to the Facultad de Ciencas Exactas Fisicas y Naturales. These courses were established in 1920. The School of Pharmacy and the course leading to the doctorate in biochemistry (established in 1917) are within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The Universities of La Plata and Tucum6nnhaveindependent chemical institutes that are subject to university authority. The former, a model of its kind, has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. I t has been known as the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy since 1919, when it was separated from the School of Chemistry, founded in 1905 by Dr. E. H. Ducloux. The medical faculties a t Cordoba and Litoral are the governing bodies of the Colleges of Pharmacy and Biochemistry in these two universities. The University of the Litoral, a t Santa Fe. has in addition a separate Faculty of Industrial Chemistry. The industrial evolution of the country began in 1860, and with i t came chemical industries. The more
or less rapid mobilization of the great agricultural and of tannin was begun in the Chaco in 1902; the fist mineral wealth of the nation got under way. These petroleum refinery was installed in 1913, etc. Thus, a resources had been utilized in a rudimentary fashion step at a time, an industrial period of great prosperity ever since the colonial period. The export of jerked came into existence, and Argentina, which only 50 beef ("tasajo") was begun, cane sugar, "yerba mate," years before imported even its necessities, now produced dairy products, wines, etc., came on the market in in- many of these commodities within its own borders. creasing quantities. The mineral industries likewise The first industrial census was taken in 1914. This began to develop, though in the beginning this business gave a clear picture of the tremendous growth that had was practically confined to mining and exploiting the been accomplished, a development that is still bontinurich beds of pure materials. Thus, in succession, a wide iug, as can be seen in Table 1. These data are official variety of profitable enterprises came into being. These statistics published by the Direcci6n General de Estawere later joined by some, whose possibility was not distica de la Nation. even suspected in the early days, such as the traffic Typical of the many chemical and related industries in petroleum and its kindred products that followed that are now serving the needs of the nation are: Inthe discovery of oil in 1907. dustrial Qnimicas Duperial; La Firmaco Argentina; The packing houses established in 1884 soon com- La Droguerii de la Estrella; La Industria MetallGrgica pletely displaced the old salting plants; the first cement y Plhtica Argentina; La Cristaleria Rigoleau; Crisfactory was started in 1872 a t Rosario. The production taledas Mayboglas; La Hidr6fila Argentina; Atanor TABLE I
In Thousnndr of ArgcnUn~Pcsor Frrl and Number of EdablishWagas and Raw Marrriolr Lubironlr EIcrlric mrllr Salaries Paid Em9laycd Conrrmad Power
Growiof lndrrlrirr
1939 Total of the Republic.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937 1935 1939 P d s , beverages, and tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .'1937 11935 1939 Textiles and kindred products.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937 1935
i
i
Porestproduct.
..............................
Paper, cardboard, ete.......................... 1939 1937 ,935
3
Printing and publieatioor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical and pharmaceutical product% oil sodpaints ................................. and kindred pmducts.. . . . . . . . . .
Petroleum, -1,
1939 Rubberpmduets. .............................1937 I935
3
Hidesand leatherproduets
.....................
1939 Cemmies, glass, clays, and ntoneware.. ......... 1937 1935
i
Metalproduets
............................... 1937 1935
Machinery.
3 ...................... 3 ..................... i .......................... 3 ................................ 3
..................................
Electrical power plants..
Conatroction companies.. Q osmies and mines.. Mircellan to-
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1937 1935 1939 1937 1935 1939 1937 ,935 1939 1937 1935 1939 1937 1935
Dimrence in valve of raw materials and finished products.
Manvfonurcd
P~adudr
Volrc Addrd*
Industrias Quimicas; La Quuimica Shering; La Quhica Merck; La Quhica Rhodia; Cia. Argentina de Cemento Portland; Cristalerias Piccardo; Adria Soc. y Quhica Industrial y Comercial; Williams Quimica .. ~ k n i c aetc. , The difficulties with which the universities have had to contend because of lack of resources have been lightened to a considerable degree by certain government institutions. Some of these assisting and cooperating agencies have university status, others are entirely separated from academic control. Among these are: The Chemical Institute of the Departamento Nacional de Higieue; the Instituto Bacteriol6gico; the Instituto de Fisiologia a t Buenos Aires and its sister institutes a t Rosario and Cordoba; the Instituto de Investigaciones de Quimica Analitica; the Instituto de Microquhica of the University of the Litoral; the Instituto de Farmacologia "General Julio Roca"; the Instituto de Cincer; the Instituto de Nutricibn; the Oficinas Quhicas Nacionales and the Oficinas Quimicas Mnnicipales, founded by Arata in 1883; the laboratories of the Obras Saniatarias de la Nacibn; the Laboratorio de Quimica Bi6logica de la Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, etc. Besides these, two relatively new foundations have come to fill a real need, as they afford help and official encouragement and support to the university students, including chemists in training. They are the Asociacibn Argentina para el Progreso de las Ciencas and the Comite Nacional de Cultura.
The various groups of professional chemists constitute the membership of the three most important societies. The Asociacidn Farmac6utica Argentina, the oldest, was founded in 1856, as successor to the now extinct Sociedad Nacional de Farmacia. The Asociaci6n Quimica Argentiua, founded in 1912, has more than 1000 members. The youngest of these professional societies is the Asoeiaci6n Bioqufmica Argentipa. Each of these organizations publishes a journal. The Revista famzachtica (Pharmaceutical Review) is sponsored by the Asociaci6n Farmac6utica Argentina. The Asociaci6n Quimica Argentina issues two periodicals. The Anales de la asociacidn guinzica argnztina is devoted to pure chemistry; i t is now more than 30 years old. Industria y quimica was started in 1935 and is published bimonthly. The AsociaciSn Bioquhica Argentina also publishes its Anales. An attempt has been made to give a sketch of the evolution of chemistry in Argentiua and to present a picture of the present state of affairs. The great distances that separate this South American republic from the United States and Europe doubtless played a considerable role in slowing up the development of chemistry in this country which is now progressing rapidly. After the war, when, God willing, the world will be organized on a more stable and equitable basis, it is to be hoped that chemistry and the industries to which it gives life will again follow the upward swing that started over a century ago in the Argentine.
