Alexandre frias i roig: Childcare pediatrician, medical doctor and scientific disseminator. tireless fighter in favor of breastfeeding and childhood

Abstract

Alexandre Frias was born in Reus, the city where he developed most of his professional activity. Medical doctor and childcare pediatrician, he worked tirelessly in order to improve children’s health. He created the first Instituto de Puericultura Integral (Integral Institute of Childcare) in Spain in 1919, which remained in operation until his death. The Institute’s activities began with a clinic for breastfeeding children, breastfeeding service and a biochemical analysis laboratory, later expanding with prenatal childcare services, a refectory for pregnant women and general women, a pediatric office with a vaccination service and, as a complement, a home health care service and medical obstetrics. Convinced that breastfeeding and hygiene were fundamental for the prevention of diseases, he carried out an enormous educational work among mothers, doctors, governors and society in general. Forerunner of numerous initiatives for curative and preventive purposes, he established health education for mothers and professionals, school colonies, medical-school inspection, home delivery of scales for weight control and incubators for premature children and even a hygienic dress model for newborns. He made numerous publications as books form, such as the one entitled “Lo que deben saber las madres”, booklets and newspapers articles. He founded and directed the scientific journal Puericultura (child care), published in Reus and distributed throughout the country until 1936. Its incessant activity in favor of the fight against infant mortality drastically reduced infant/children mortality in Reus and influenced the health and demographic improvement of all of Spain.