Dr Ignasi de Gispert i Cruz (1903-1984): a man of talent, determination, and learning

A. Arboix
Neurosciences and History 2017; 5(4): 123-127

Type of article: REVIEW

AUTHOR

A. Arboix
Cerebrovascular Disease Unit, Department of Neurology. Hospital Universitari del Sagrat Cor, Barcelona, Spain.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Dr Ignasi de Gispert i Cruz (1903-1984) was one of the first neurologists in Catalonia and was known for his contributions to science and the humanities.

Development. His main work was the Tratado de enfermedades nerviosas (Treatise on nervous diseases), published in collaboration with Lluís Barraquer Ferré and Emilio Castañer Vendrell. The work comprises two volumes, the first published in 1936 and the second in 1940. Dr de Gispert worked at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona for more than 20 years; he left in 1945 to become head of the neurology department at Clínica Médica B at Hospital Clínic (under Professor Soriano), eventually retiring in 1970. Dr de Gispert also wrote several articles of interest for the general population: he was well-versed in mediaeval and contemporary Catalan history and a lover of poetry, with Frédéric Mistral being one his poets of reference.

Conclusions. Dr Ignasi de Gispert i Cruz represented the human and Christian aspect of medicine and was one of the pioneering neurologists, with outstanding training, enthusiasm and passion for neurology, talent, and scholarly dedication. He died in 1984 at the age of 81.

KEYWORDS

Catalan neurology, de Gispert, history, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, neurology

Neurosciences and History 2017; 5(4): 123-127