The International Society of Clinical Pathology (ISCP)

At the beginning of its foundation there were some confusions as to the name of the organization. Initially a World Federation of Constituent Societies of Clinical Pathology was suggested. However, it was recorded as "International Society of Clinical Pathology" (Association Internationale de Biologie Clinique) at the 1947 Paris meeting. At the July 1948 Council meeting held at Sheffield, UK, it was recorded as "International Association of Clinical Pathologists". As well known, in France, clinical biology has been taught traditionally in the Pharmaceutical Faculty rather than in the Medical Faculty. Yet in UK clearly divided were "chemical pathologists" and "hospital chemists", and also the term "clinical" in English tended to be applied only to the activities related with physicians. This discrepancy of the fundamental concept on clinical pathology among different countries has been constantly giving lively, sometimes tiresome, inconclusive discussions in the World Association up to now. However, after many discussions, at the May 1949 Council meeting, its name became "International Society of Clinical Pathology (ISCP)". By the year of 1951 joined to the International Society the 12 national societies in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, Italy, France, Cuba, Belgium, Turkey, Spain, the United States of America, Australia, Canada and Venezuela.

The Japan Society of Clinical Pathology (JSCP) was founded in 1952, and the first correspondece with the ISCP was recorded in 1955, and joined to the ISCP in 1958. Then, two councilors representing the Japan Society attended the ISCP Council Meeting for the first time in 1960 during the 4th International Congress held at Madrid, Spain.

The ISCP was lead by the capable presidents for the following 20 years; namely, Dr Sidney Dyke (UK), Dr. Raoul Kourilsky (France), Dr. Osborne Brines (USA), Dr. DeSanctis Monaldi (Italy), Dr. Maurice Welsch (Belgium), and Dr. Wm McMenemey (UK).

The International Congresses of Clinical Pathology sponsored by the ISCP were held every three years, as follows; the first congress was in 1951 at London, UK, the second in 1954 at Washington,DC, USA, the third in 1957 at Brussels, Belgium, the fourth in 1960 at Madrid, Spain, the fifth in 1963 at Mexico City, Mexico, the sixth in 1966 at Rome, Italy and the seventh in 1969 at Montreal, Canada. (Figure 1)