Abstract This article is the product of a review of historical literature that analyzes the emergence and development of physiotherapy in México since its prevenience as a part of rehabilitation sciences until reach its own independence during the process of transformation it to a professionalization discipline in the XX century. The analysis of the reflections upon the reviewed documents and the interviews made to people that were part of the historical process are sort out under the next premises: first, the historical analysis of the social, institutional and scientific processes that bring on the emergence of physiotherapy as an independent profession secondary from rehabilitation upon the transfer of knowledge of western Europe to America under the model of George Basalla1. Second, the theorical tensions and joints between rehabilitation medicine and physiotherapy that were involved in the process for considering physiotherapy a profession with a lack of scientific knowledge, therefore physiotherapist were not recognized as an autonomic professional with own identity for its practice. Finally the change of paradigms in health models, such as the biopsychosocial model, the evolution of rehabilitation concepts such as the incorporation of International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) promoted by World Health Organization as a conceptual frame that permits a global view of the functioning of the individuals in a context that includes the emergence of new professions such as physiotherapy un which multidisciplinary work among health professionals, permits to consolidate aspects of identity and autonomy of the profession.

Resumen Este artículo es producto de la revisión histórica crítica del surgimiento de la fisioterapia en México, desde su origen como parte de las ciencias en rehabilitación, hasta lograr su independencia hacia la profesionalización de la disciplina en el siglo XX. El análisis crítico derivado de los textos examinados y de las entrevistas a personajes clave quienes participaron en el proceso histórico de este trabajo, se explica con base en las siguientes premisas: primera, el análisis histórico de los procesos sociales, institucionales y científicos que favorecieron el surgimiento de la fisioterapia como una profesión independiente derivada de la rehabilitación médica, a partir de la transferencia de conocimientos de Europa occidental hacia América bajo el modelo de George Basalla1. Segunda, las tensiones y resistencia entre la medicina de rehabilitación y la fisioterapia por considerarla una profesión sin bases científicas sólidas, lo cual repercutió negativamente en el reconocimiento del fisioterapeuta como un profesionista con identidad y autonomía propia para la práctica. Finalmente, el cambio de paradigma en los modelos de salud, la evolución del concepto de rehabilitación que se enfoca en los aspectos biopsicosociales del individuo, la creación de la Clasificación Internacional de Funcionamiento de la Discapacidad y de la Salud (CIF), desarrollada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como marco conceptual, lo que permitió incorporar una mirada global del funcionamiento del individuo en la sociedad y que propició la emergencia de nuevas profesiones, entre ellas la fisioterapia, lo cual ha contribuido al trabajo multidisciplinario entre los profesionales de la salud y, con ello, la consolidación de aspectos de identidad y autonomía de la profesión.

Abstract This paper analyzes the situation and the changes made in the Institute of Sanitary and Tropical Diseases between 1965 and 1989 to become the National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference. Three major stages are identified during this period: crisis, transition and renewal. The factors that led to the crisis, the decisions made to overcome it and to harmonize the work of laboratories with epidemiological and public health criteria are discussed. The recognition obtained by researchers of the Institute despite the crisis is described, as well as the way the institution managed to continue with projects despite the changing global situation. The transition included the arrival of a new generation of professionals with modern computer-based and conceptual tools and the remarkably well met challenge of participating in national surveys with rigorous criteria. All this moved the institution to define its profile towards diagnosis and reference.

Resumen El artículo analiza la situación y los cambios efectuados en el Instituto de Salubridad y Enfermedades Tropicales entre 1965 y 1989 para transformarse en el Instituto Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos. Se identifican tres grandes etapas en el periodo: crisis, transición y renovación. Se señalan los elementos que llevaron a la crisis, las decisiones que se tomaron para salir de ella y armonizar el trabajo de los laboratorios con criterios epidemiológicos y de salud pública. Se citan las distinciones obtenidas por investigadores del Instituto a pesar de la crisis y se describe cómo la institución logró seguir con proyectos a pesar de la cambiante situación mundial. La transición incluyó la llegada de una nueva generación de profesionales con modernas herramientas informáticas y conceptuales y el desafío de participar en encuestas nacionales con criterios rigurosos. Todo ello movió a la institución a definir su perfil hacia el diagnóstico y la referencia.

Gaceta Médica de México, official journal of the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico, began its circulation on September 15, 1864, and continues to be positioned as the oldest medical periodical publication. However, its publication was temporarily interrupted. The present study analyzes the interruption suffered by Gaceta in 1916, its resumption in 1919, and the causes that originated that discontinuity. The consequences of the so-called Mexican revolution and the enthusiasm and commitment of the academy and its editors to continue working for the progress of national medicine are discussed.

A evolução da saúde pública mexicana foi gradual. Nos séculos XIX e XX desenvolveu-se paralelamente às mudanças políticas e sociais do país. Na primeira metade do século XIX o cuidado com os doentes dependia parcialmente da caridade religiosa. Depois, instituiu-se a beneficiência pública, consolidada pelo presidente Benito Juárez (1856), forma de atendimento continuada por Porfirio Díaz (1880-1910). A partir da Revolução (1910-1917) surgiu o princípio de assistência pública como obrigação do Estado para com a sociedade. Atualmente, a assistência à saúde, e a seguridade social conjugam-se em um conceito de medicina institucional que compreende a investigação, o ensino e os serviços prestados à sociedade. Este trabalho é uma análise do desenvolvimento da saúde pública mexicana nos dois últimos séculos. Faz referência às doenças e seu controle, ao aparecimento das instituições e à evolução do conceito de saúde pública na história mexicana.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, its growth accompanied the country’s political and social changes. In the early half of the nineteenth century, care for the sick depended in part on religious charity. So-called public beneficial care was later introduced and consolidated under president Benito Juárez (1856) and then continued under Porfirio Díaz (1880-1910). The Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) brought the notion that public-health assistance is the State’s social responsibility. Health care and social security are now both part of so-called "institutional medicine," which also encompasses research and teaching on public health. This analysis of public-health care in Mexico examines the question of diseases and their control, the emergence of institutions, and the development of the concept of public health.