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THE SCHOOL OF SALERNO. 209
If the doctor had passed the examinations and received
the state-license to practise, a diploma was made out for
him which ran thus: "Notum fadmits fidelitati vestrse,
quod fide lis noster N.N. ad curiam nostram accedens,
examinatus, inventus fidelis et de genere jidelium ortus et
sujfficiens ad artem medicinae exercendam, extitit pe
nostram curiam approbatus. Propter quod de ipsius
prudentia et legalitate confisi, recepto ab eo in curia
nostra fidelitatis sacramento et de arte ipsa fideliter
exercenda juxta consuetudinem juramento, dedimus ei
licentiam exercendi artem medicinse in partibus ipsis : u
admodo artem ipsam ad honorem et fidelitatem nostram et
salutem eorum qui indigent, fideliter ibi debeat exercere.
Quocirca fidelitati vestrse praecipiendo mandamus,
quatenus nullussit, qui praedictum N.N. fidelem nostrum
super arte ipsa medicinae in terris ipsis, ut dictum est,
exercenda impediat de cetero vel perturbet."*
In the oath which the young doctor had to take on this
occasion, he was bound "to give advice to the poor, gratis,
and to inform the magistrates of apothecaries who made up
medicines not corresponding to prescriptions." It was.
moreover, laid down by law how much he might demand
for a visit to a patient. According to this the' highest payment
for a visit in the daytime within the town amounted
.* to half a gold tarenus ;f if the visit was outside the district
the fee was three or at most four tareni exclusive of
travelling expenses.
The doctor was forbidden to enter into partnership with
apothecaries, or himself to keep an apothecary's shop.
The apothecaries were directed to prepare the medicine
according to the prescription of the doctors, and to
furnish it at a regular price. Before they were permitted
* to practise their business they had to bind themselves by
oath to provide drugs according to prescribed form, and to
* PETE^DE VINEIS: Epist, lib. vi, c. 24, Basil 1740.—Hist. dipl. Frid. II, op.
cit. p. 150, Note 2.
t A gold tarenus was a gold coin weighing 20 grains.
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