Clodomiro Picado: Costa Rican scientific pioneer who advanced in biology, microbiology and ophidianism, leaving a lasting scientific legacy.

Dr. Clorito Picado’s scientific work was extensive and prolific.

He wrote about 115 scientific papers, including several books and monographs. In addition, his complete works were published in 1988 by Editorial Tecnológica de Costa Rica.

Picado worked in diverse areas, from Biology and Medical Microbiology to Immunology and Agronomy. He was also an intellectual committed to the solution of many national problems, which is reflected in numerous articles published in Costa Rican newspapers.

The Beginnings Of Clorito Picado

Clorito (as he is known) Picado was born on April 17, 1887 in San Marcos, Nicaragua, due to the work of his father, Clodomiro Picado Lara, as an educator.

In 1890, the family returned to Cartago, Costa Rica, where Clorito received his primary and part of his secondary education at Colegio San Luis Gonzaga. Later, he completed his baccalaureate at the Liceo de Costa Rica in 1906. As a young man, Picado began to make scientific contributions, teaching Natural Sciences and writing articles on Costa Rican fauna.

Academic And Professional Background

Thanks to his high qualifications, the Congress of Costa Rica granted him a scholarship to continue his higher studies in France. He graduated as a zoologist and botanist at the Sorbonne University, and obtained a doctorate in Natural Sciences. He also trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and at the Institute of Colonial Medicine, specializing in Microbiology, Immunology and Clinical Chemistry.

Upon returning to Costa Rica in 1914, Picado assumed the direction of the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José. He introduced numerous laboratory analyses as a method to diagnose diseases and published more than 100 research studies and books in Costa Rica and France. His work ranged from infectious diseases to the quality of drinking water.

Contributions In The Field Of Ophidianism

Clodomiro Picado: Costa Rican scientific pioneer who advanced in biology, microbiology and ophidianism, leaving a lasting scientific legacy.

One of his greatest achievements was in the field of ophidianism.

Picado was dedicated to curing agricultural workers suffering from snake bites. He imported antiophidic serums from the Butantan Institute of Brazil and created the first serum “bank” in Costa Rica. He also developed serums of national production and promoted the approval of a “Law of defense against ophidism”, which obliged farmers to treat affected workers.

Legacy and recognition

In 1999, two physicians from the Hospital San Juan de Dios found manuscripts by Picado that demonstrated the depth and scope of his work in the field of Microbiology.

In addition to his contributions to science, Picado was an intellectual committed to his country, publishing numerous articles in national newspapers and advocating solutions to social and public health problems.

Physicians María de los Ángeles San Román and Edgar Cabezas Solera have advocated correcting the “scientific injustice” of not fully recognizing Picado’s contributions. Cabezas stated, “We do not want to overshadow other scientists, but it is necessary that Dr. Picado’s work be recognized.”

Since then, many Costa Ricans have maintained that the true pioneer in many fields of science was Clorito Picado. His legacy lives on as an example of dedication and excellence in scientific research and social commitment.

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