SCOT AGATX AT COURT 



151 



e have already noticed the bent of his mind to- 

 ards comparative physiology, and the daring ex- 

 riments he carried out, in corpore vili et vivo. 

 e of the first literary and scientific works which 

 commanded, or at least accepted when it was 

 icated to him, was a compilation from three 

 Jcient authors upon a medical subject. 1 He was 

 |en but eighteen years of age. As time went on 

 interest in this science continued, and became 

 motive to a liberal and enlightened policy. He 

 arded medicine as a matter of national import- 

 , and strove by wise laws to make the practice 

 that profession as intelligent and useful as pos- 

 le. He protected the faculty at Salerno and 

 ted that of Naples. None might lecture else- 

 in the Sicilies, and every physician in the 

 gdom must hold testimonials from one or other 

 these schools, as well as a government licence 

 practise. The course preliminary to qualifica- 

 consisted of three years in arts and five in 

 icine and surgery. As a guide to the professors, 

 doctrine of Hippocrates and Galen was declared 

 al in the schools ; yet, lest this should become 

 ely formal and traditional, directions were given 

 ,t the students shoidd have practice in anatomy, 

 rding the related trade of the apothecary, the 

 s denounced the adulteration of drugs. Physicians 

 ht not claim a greater fee than half a tar en of 

 per diem, which gave the patient a right to 

 visited thrice in the day. The poor were to be 

 nded free of charge. We have thought it right 

 be particular in these details, as they throw 

 it on the times, and on Scot's own practice as 



1 The De Urinis. See ante, p. 20. 



