Álvaro Freire de Villalba Alvim (16 April 1863 – 21 May 1928) was a Brazilian physician, pioneer in radiology and radiotherapy. He studied in France with Pierre and Marie Curie and performed the first radiograph in Brazil, which was on the xiphopagus case for Brazilian surgeon Eduardo Chapot Prévost.

Life and Times

Álvaro Alvim was born on 16 April 1863 in

Vassouras Vassouras (, lit. 'Brooms') is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 37,083 (2020) and its area is 552 km².IBGE /ref> Vassouras is known for its colonial-era coffee farms and significant royal ...

, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the son of Carlos Freire Alvim y Villalba and Mariana Amélia de Carvalho. He died from leukemia on 21 May 1928 in his home state of Rio de Janeiro. Alvim graduated in 1887 with a degree in medicine from the Bahia School of Medicine. In 1896 he traveled to France and studied medical physics in the clinic of Marie Curie and Pierre Curie. While in Europe Alvim purchased X-ray equipment that would be installed in his clinic upon returning to Brazil. He was to establish clinics for electrotherapy,

physiotherapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patient ...

radiotherapy Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, often abbreviated RT, RTx, or XRT, is a therapy using ionizing radiation, generally provided as part of cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells and normally delivered by a linear accelerator. Radia ...

and radiology in Rio de Janeiro. Alvim was the founder and director of clinics for: Assistance to Poor Children; Institute of Electricity; Electrology and Radiology Institute; and the Casa de la Cultura Laura Alvim. Alvim married Laura Paglia Agostini Alvim, the daughter of

Angelo Agostini Angelo Agostini (April 8, 1843 – January 23, 1910) was an Italian-born Brazilian illustrator, journalist and founder of several publications, and although born in Italy, is considered the first Brazilian cartoonist. Biography Agostini was b ...

, and the couple had 3 children: Mariana, Alvaro, and Laura. The Casa da Cultura Laura Alvim clinic was named in his daughter's honor. The family lived in a newly established neighborhood in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.

Achievements

*Obtained the first radiograph of xiphopagous twins, (twins: Rosalina and Maria Pinheiro Davel) in the world (1897) permitting Eduardo Chapot Prévost to perform his operation. This case was the first of its kind in the world that utilized radiography on

conjoined twin Conjoined twins – sometimes popularly referred to as Siamese twins – are twins joined ''in utero''. A very rare phenomenon, the occurrence is estimated to range from 1 in 49,000 births to 1 in 189,000 births, with a somewhat higher incidence ...

sisters and the first noted case of X-ray utilization in Brazil, with equipment installed and operated by Alvim. Alvim was honored with streets and hospitals of Rio de Janeiro named in his honor. A documentary short film was made regarding the event with cinematography and direction by Antônio Leal of Portugal. "Operação das Xifópagas Pelo Dr. Chapot Prevost". (Operation of Siamese twins By Dr. Chapot Prevost). Released in Brazil on 20 May 1907. *Humanitarian Medal award by President Artur Bernardes. *Considered the martyr of Brazilian Science *Contributed to the invention of leaded paper, effective in reducing

radiation exposure Radiation is a moving form of energy, classified into ionizing and non-ionizing type. Ionizing radiation is further categorized into electromagnetic radiation (without matter) and particulate radiation (with matter). Electromagnetic radiation con ...

to early radiologists

Clinics

*Assistance to Poor Children *Institute of Electricity *Electrology and Radiology Institute *Casa de la Cultura Laura Alvim

Accolades and Honors

In 1963, the post office of Brazil, Brazil Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor and declared Alvim as the "martyr of science".Light TR. (1985). Hands on stamps. Journal Hand Surgery Am. 10:912.

Places that bear the name Álvaro Alvim

*Rua Álvaro Alvim, Rio de Janeiro *Hospital Escola Álvaro Alvim *Unidade Álvaro Alvim – HCPA *Álvaro Alvim ESPM University *Escola Municipal Álvaro Alvim *Colégio Estadual Álvaro Alvim

Select Publications

*Alvim, A. (1902). Electricidade perante a medicina. Rio de Janeiro. *Alvim, A. (1929). Confrontos e deduções. Minas Gerais. Secretaria da Agricultura. Minas e o Bicentenário do Cafeeiro no Brasil (1727/1927). Imprensa Oficial, Belo Horizonte. *Alvim, A. The Healer Medicine. *Alvim, A. Institute of Medical Electricity. *Alvim, A. The Cure of Cancer in Brazil.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvim, Alvaro 1863 births 1928 deaths Brazilian radiologists Physicians from Rio de Janeiro (city) People from Vassouras Federal University of Bahia alumni Medical physicists