[Physicians and surgeons in the Constituent Congress (1856-1857) and the Reform War (1858-1860)]

A small but selected group of physicians and surgeons took part in the Constituent Congress elaborating the Mexican Constitution of 1857. Among them was doctor Valentín Gómez Farías, leader of the liberal party. He presided at the oath of the constitution. Another prominent number of the said Congress was doctor José María Mata, who, in the session of August 5th. 1856, defended vehemently the article 15 of the project of constitution in favor of the freedom of worship. Doctor Isidoro Olvera is also worthy of remembrance, because on August 7th. of the same year presented an extensive outline of organic law concerning the right of "ownership". When the conservative revolt started on December 17th. 1857, doctor Olvera at the time president of the Chamber of Deputies was imprisoned with Benito Juárez, president of the Supreme Court of Justice, and three more representatives. During the civil war between conservative and liberal partisans, which began on January 19th. 1858, several distinguished physicians and surgeons, as well as medical students, were victims of the sectarian hatred. The example of these pupils of Aesculapius, who were victims of their vocation and of their mission, should always be kept in mind.