SCOT AGAIN AT COURT 151 



We have already noticed the bent of his mind to- 

 wards comparative physiology, and the daring ex- 

 periments he carried out, in corpore vili et vivo. 

 One of the first literary and scientific works which 

 he commanded, or at least accepted when it was 

 dedicated to him, was a compilation from three 

 ancient authors upon a medical subject. 1 He was 

 then but eighteen years of age. As time went on 

 his interest in this science continued, and became 

 the motive to a liberal and enlightened policy. He 

 regarded medicine as a matter of national import- 

 ance, and strove by wise laws to make the practice 

 of that profession as intelligent and useful as pos- 

 sible. He protected the faculty at Salerno and 

 created that of Naples. None might lecture else- 

 where in the Sicilies, and every physician in the 

 kingdom must hold testimonials from one or other 

 of these schools, as well as a government licence 

 to practise. The course preliminary to qualifica- 

 tion consisted of three years in arts and five in 

 medicine and surgery. As a guide to the professors, 

 the doctrine of Hippocrates and Galen was declared 

 normal in the schools ; yet, lest this should become 

 merely formal and traditional, directions were given 

 that the students should have practice in anatomy. 

 Regarding the related trade of the apothecary, the 

 laws denounced the adulteration of drugs. Physicians 

 might not claim a greater fee than half a taren of 

 gold per diem, which gave the patient a right to 

 be visited thrice in the day. The poor were to be 

 attended free of charge. We have thought it right 

 to be particular in these details, as they throw 

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



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



