Recollections and Corrections

ACHAIKI IATRIKI | 2025; 44(Suppl 1):26–27

Historical Report

Ioannis Karaindros


5th elected President of IEDE (1992-1998)

Received: 30 Aug 2025; Accepted: 08 Sep 2025

Corresponding author: Ioannis Karaindros, 5th elected President of IEDE (1992-1998) E-mail:  Jkaraindros@gmail.com

Keywords: Medical Society of Patras, historical corrections, founding date

 


The Medical Society of Western Greece was for us the natural continuation of the Medical Society of Patras, founded on December 30, 1910, even though the Academy of Athens had a different opinion on it and did not consent to our relevant award.

Unfortunately, mistakes are perpetuated, as long as there is no evidence. So I turned to the Patras newspaper “Neologos” dated December 30, 1912, in order to ascertain what it had written on that specific date for the Medical Society of Patras. Unfortunately, I was disappointed because it had no mention of it. And how could it have been written, since this date was wrong.

However, unwilling to give up, completely by chance, one day I had the inspiration while searching in my library for what could help me, to look up the “Historical Dictionary of Patras” by Constantinos Triantafillou. And I was finally vindicated. The date was wrong by two years. Not 30.12.1912, but 30.12.1910.

And here is the proof: the relevant page of the newspaper “Neologos” (which you can see in the next page, but in Greek), together with the relevant passage of the paid publication translated in English.

Medical Society of Patras

We are pleased to announce that most of the approved doctors who wish to act in favor of the city and science have gathered and convened the Medical Society of Patras. Appreciating the willingness, the zeal and the scientific education of those who make up this new Medical Association, we are sure that we will soon find ourselves in the happy position to announce truly beneficial results of our actions.

The second one concerns the chronological date of the founding of the Patras Medical Society. Certainly, it is not the second oldest Medical Society in Greece, as we have repeatedly heard.

However, on this matter, I have to disagree with the former President of the Society, Mr. Athanasios Diamantopoulos, regarding his reference in Achaiki Iatriki, Volume 31, Issue 1, April 2012, in his article entitled “One century with Medical Society of Western Greece and Peloponnesus” and the fifth oldest position he gives it. I will take it one more place back. Sixth then, since the Medical Society of Heraklion (Crete) had preceded us in June 1904.

Conflict of interest disclosure

None to declare

Declaration of funding sources

None to declare

Author Contributions

Ioannis Karaindros conceived, designed, wrote, and approved the manuscript.