William Cunningham Blest
Encyclopedia
William Cunningham Blest (born 1800 - died 1884) was an Anglo-Irish doctor, the president of the first Medical Society of Chile, creator of the first School of Medicine in Chile
, a politician and father of the novelist Alberto Blest Gana
.
, Ireland
in 1800, son of Anglo-Irish clergyman and author Albert Blest and Anna Mayben; members of the middle class, Reverend and Mrs. Blest gave good educations to their children. William Cunningham Blest studied at Trinity College in Dublin, receiving a degree in medicine; then continued his studies at the Edinburgh University in the King James IV Academy, where he received a doctorate in Medicine on March 21, 1821. He then moved to London, practicing medicine until he decided to emigrate because of the oversupply of doctors in London at the time. After persuasion by his brother Andrew Blest (who established the first brewery in Chile) about the good prospects for a doctor in the young country, William Blest arrived in Valparaíso
, Chile, in 1823.
On March 21, 1827 was married to María de la Luz Gana Darrigrandi, a girl from a wealthy family and sister-in-law of Manuel Blanco Encalada
, which helped Dr. Blest in setting up practice independently in Chile.
conditions of Chile, its poor level of education, and the lack of interest in learning medical science properly. The repercussions of this report were immediate, and in the same year the government abolished the Protomedicato and created the Chilean Medical Society, constituted of all practitioners in Santiago de Chile, and made Dr. Blest its chairman.
On April 4, 1827, Freire, who was back in government, eliminated the Medical Society and replaced it with the General Medical Inspectorate, naming Blest as its Chief Inspector. After many other changes to the medical body of the young nation (each of which, Blest headed in turn), the infamous Protomedicario was permanently reinstated in 1830, with William Blest as its chairman. From that moment on, Dr. Guillermo (William) Blest presided over any medical act in Chile, approving licences to practice, inspecting medical facilities and pharmacies. In his hands were left all responsibilities and authority with everything related with medicine; such power gained him many detractors, among them a Spaniard, Dr. José Passaman.
Dr. Blest's constant speeches about the importance of studies in the fields of medicine put him at the head of Chilean physicians when he published his "Essay on the most common causes of illnesses suffered in Chile". He then was assigned to create and inaugurate the School of Medicine in 1833 in the National Institute, which operated from the Hospital of Saint John of God. Blest served as its director for twenty years.
As an important member of Chilean society at the time, William Blest, after being granted Chilean nationality, was in 1832 elected a member of the national congress for Rancagua
, a seat he occupied until 1834, but without major interventions. He was also a faithful supporter of the Public Beneficence, sitting on its council for many years, helping to create hospitals, cemeteries, orphans' asylums, and the like. He was later also elected a Senator.
, one of the finest Chilean novelists, and Joaquín Blest Gana, politician, lawyer, historian, and government minister.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, a politician and father of the novelist Alberto Blest Gana
Alberto Blest Gana
Alberto Blest Gana was a Chilean novelist and diplomat, considered the father of Chilean novel. Blest Gana was of Irish and Basque descent....
.
Early life
He was born in SligoSligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1800, son of Anglo-Irish clergyman and author Albert Blest and Anna Mayben; members of the middle class, Reverend and Mrs. Blest gave good educations to their children. William Cunningham Blest studied at Trinity College in Dublin, receiving a degree in medicine; then continued his studies at the Edinburgh University in the King James IV Academy, where he received a doctorate in Medicine on March 21, 1821. He then moved to London, practicing medicine until he decided to emigrate because of the oversupply of doctors in London at the time. After persuasion by his brother Andrew Blest (who established the first brewery in Chile) about the good prospects for a doctor in the young country, William Blest arrived in Valparaíso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
, Chile, in 1823.
On March 21, 1827 was married to María de la Luz Gana Darrigrandi, a girl from a wealthy family and sister-in-law of Manuel Blanco Encalada
Manuel Blanco Encalada
Manuel José Blanco y Calvo de Encalada was a Vice-Admiral in the Chilean Navy, a political figure, and Chile's first President .-Biography:...
, which helped Dr. Blest in setting up practice independently in Chile.
Career
After three years' residence in his adopted country, Blest wrote in 1826 the essay "Observations about the present state of Medicine in Chile and a proposal for its improvement", highly critical of the sanitarySanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
conditions of Chile, its poor level of education, and the lack of interest in learning medical science properly. The repercussions of this report were immediate, and in the same year the government abolished the Protomedicato and created the Chilean Medical Society, constituted of all practitioners in Santiago de Chile, and made Dr. Blest its chairman.
On April 4, 1827, Freire, who was back in government, eliminated the Medical Society and replaced it with the General Medical Inspectorate, naming Blest as its Chief Inspector. After many other changes to the medical body of the young nation (each of which, Blest headed in turn), the infamous Protomedicario was permanently reinstated in 1830, with William Blest as its chairman. From that moment on, Dr. Guillermo (William) Blest presided over any medical act in Chile, approving licences to practice, inspecting medical facilities and pharmacies. In his hands were left all responsibilities and authority with everything related with medicine; such power gained him many detractors, among them a Spaniard, Dr. José Passaman.
Dr. Blest's constant speeches about the importance of studies in the fields of medicine put him at the head of Chilean physicians when he published his "Essay on the most common causes of illnesses suffered in Chile". He then was assigned to create and inaugurate the School of Medicine in 1833 in the National Institute, which operated from the Hospital of Saint John of God. Blest served as its director for twenty years.
As an important member of Chilean society at the time, William Blest, after being granted Chilean nationality, was in 1832 elected a member of the national congress for Rancagua
Rancagua
Rancagua is a city and commune in central Chile, part of the Rancagua conurbation. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region, located south of the national capital of Santiago. It had a 2002 population of 214,344...
, a seat he occupied until 1834, but without major interventions. He was also a faithful supporter of the Public Beneficence, sitting on its council for many years, helping to create hospitals, cemeteries, orphans' asylums, and the like. He was later also elected a Senator.
Death
Blest died in retirement at his estate in San Bernardo, on February 3, 1884, leaving to his adopted Chile a School of Medicine and a family illustrious on many accounts. Proof of that are his sons Alberto Blest GanaAlberto Blest Gana
Alberto Blest Gana was a Chilean novelist and diplomat, considered the father of Chilean novel. Blest Gana was of Irish and Basque descent....
, one of the finest Chilean novelists, and Joaquín Blest Gana, politician, lawyer, historian, and government minister.