Return to Madre Tierra

Fabio R. Garrote, MS3

Known by many as José Martí's closest friend, Fermín Valdés Domínguez was an extraordinary physician ahead of his time. This text aims to provide an idea and context of his figure and achievements in the field of medicine, but above all, his work around the struggle for the independence of his land. Fermín Valdés Domínguez enrolled at the School of Medicine at the University of Havana in 1870. As soon as the first semester began, he became involved in a historical event that marked a turning point in his life and Cuban history. On November 27th, 1871, the entire first-year class of medical students was falsely accused of desecrating the tombstone of the Spaniard journalist Gonzalo de Castañón. Following an extensive trial marked by manipulative colonial politics, the final verdict resulted in the death penalty for eight medical students and six years of incarceration for the rest of the class.

During the first year of imprisonment, they obtained their freedom when they were all deported to Spain under a royal mandate. Initially, Valdés Domínguez settled down in Madrid, joining his childhood friend José Martí, and resumed his studies to become a physician in June of 1872 at La Universidad Central de Madrid. Due to unfortunate circumstances, such as climate and living expenses, they relocated to Zaragoza. There, Fermín enrolled in an intense study program that allowed him to graduate as a doctor within two years. After finishing his studies, he decided to return to his native country with the idea of practicing medicine and getting involved with the independence movement that was growing on the island.

After his return to Havana in 1886, Dr. Valdés Domínguez published several papers focusing on diseases affecting tobacco growers. His study titled "Contribution to the Study of the Etiology of Tuberculosis" granted him admission to Havana's Society of Clinical Studies. The same year, he was appointed as a full member of Havana's Editorial Board of the Medical-Surgical Chronicle Magazine following the presentation of the same article. Additionally, one of his most renowned publications, "Diseases of Bacterial Origin," defended the idea that some infectious diseases had a bacterial origin rather than resulting from a fermentation process which was the leading theory. His research investigation regarding this topic places him as one of the pioneers of bacterial microbiology in Cuba. Additional publications reflected his passion for literature, presenting his knowledge about public health and pediatric epidemiology in articles such as "The Mother and the Doctor," "A Case of Infant Tetanus," and "The Sick Child's Room," among others.

In 1887, he met with Fernando de Castañón, son of the late journalist whose tombstone he and his peers had been accused of desecrating. As a result of their encounter, de Castañón reported no damage or signs of violence inflicted on his father's grave. Fermín used this information to repair an event that was lost in history, claiming the innocence of his peers. His audacity added to his craving for truth and justice and allowed him to expose the atrocity they were subjected to as young medical students. Following the exhumation and proper burial of his eight colleagues, he continued fighting for the independence of Cuba until his death in 1910.

Dr. Fermín Valdés Domínguez, Jose Martí's best friend, has gone down in history as a fascinating character who spent his life fighting for justice. While he is most known for his work as a patriot seeking his country's freedom, he was also a caring physician who devoted his life to the well-being of others. I want to finish with a fragment of his article, "The First Kiss and the First Pains," that reflects the essence of who he was as a doctor. It goes as follows:

Spanish Version:

"Misión de consuelo es la medicina; nadie como la madre sabe apreciar lo que esta le brinda, y es esto así porque en ellos ven asegurado algo que estiman más que a sus vidas: la de sus hijos. A ellas pues dedico los pobres esfuerzos de mi escasa inteligencia" Artículo "El primer beso y los primeros dolores", periódico "El Liberal de Colón" (May 1882)

English Version:

"Mission of consolation is a medicine; no one like the mother knows how to appreciate what it offers her, and this is so because in them they see assured something that they esteem more than their lives: that of their children. To them, then, I dedicate the poor efforts of my little intelligence" Article "The first kiss and the first pains," newspaper "El Liberal de Colón" (May 1882)

About the Author:

My name is Fabio R. Garrote, born and raised in Cuba. I moved with my family to the US at age 20 with the dream of a better future, and the goal of pursuing a career in medicine. Currently, I'm a third-year medical student at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and my main interests are trauma, emergency medicine, and access to healthcare.

About the Work:

The text is meant to be the first in a series of biographies focusing on Cuban physicians. This one focuses on the personal life and achievements in medicine around the figure of Fermin Valdes Dominguez. Particularly recreating stages of his life that identify the reason why he decided to return to his "Madre Tierra" (Cuba) despite having been deported for false and unjust allegations.