286 WOMAN IN SCIENCE 



Italy, he finally arrived at Salerno, where, he informs us, 

 he found no one who could cope with him in disputation 

 except quandam sapientem matronam a certain very 

 learned woman. 1 This was Trotula, who, by reason of the 

 extraordinary cures she effected, was known among her 

 contemporaries as magistra operis a consummate prac- 

 titioner. When, however, we consider the thorough course 

 of study that every one aspiring to a degree in medicine 

 was obliged to complete, women as well as men, it is not 

 so surprising that Trotula should be regarded both as a 

 learned woman and as a successful physician. 



Among other women doctors who did honor to Salerno 

 and whose names have come down to us were three who are 

 known in history as Abella, Eebeca de Guarna and Mercuri- 

 ade. All of them achieved a great reputation by their 

 writings on medical subjects, especially Mercuriade, who 

 distinguished herself in surgery as well as in medicine. 

 Still another woman deserving special mention is Fran- 

 cesca, wife of Matteo de Romana, of Salerno. After pass- 

 ing a very severe examination before a board composed of 

 physicians and surgeons, she was accorded the doctorate in 

 surgery. An official document of the time referring to this 

 event reads as follows: " Whereas the laws permit women 

 to practice medicine, and whereas, from the viewpoint of 

 good morals, women are best adapted to the treatment of 

 their own sex, we, after having received the oath of fidel- 

 ity, permit the said Francesca to practice the said art of 

 healing," etc. 2 



' ' 



Physicse quoque seientiam tarn copiose habuit ut in urbe 

 Psaleritana, ubi maxime medicorum scholse ab antique tempore ha- 

 bentur, neminem in medicinali arte, praeter quandam sapientem 

 matronam, sibi parem inveniret. " Migne, Patrologiae Latinae, Tom. 

 188, Col. 260. 



2 As this decree is of singular interest and importance, a copy 

 of the original is here given in full: 



"Karolus, etc., Universis per Justitieratum Principatus citra Ser- 

 ras Montorii constitutis presentes litteras inspecturis fidelibus pa- 



