0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

RECENT TIMES.
lor of medicine who was distinguished for his anatomical
knowledge, had to compile from literature, and deliver
orally, the theoretical explanations. The latter bore the
title of Archidiaconus. The prosector had a very dependent
position. He was under the supervision of the
professor of anatomy who, as was said in the statutes
of 1598, must take care that the prosector does not idle
about, but occupies himself diligently with anatomical
dissections and demonstrations (non sinat dissectorem
divagari, sed contineat in officio dissecandi et demon
strandi). It was further resolved, that every year at least
two public dissections should take place. At the same
time, the authorities were directed never to hand over a
body for anatomical purposes without the cognizance of
the dean of the medical faculty, and in delivering bodies
up to have regard first to the requirements of the pro- I
fessors and doctors of medicine and, only in the event of
these resigning all claims to them, to let the surgeons
have them* The expenses connected with the anatomical
demonstrations were in all cases borne by the spectators,!
that is to say by the students, whereas the theoretical,
lectures of the professors since the beginning of the 16th
century were given gratis.
Practical teaching in materia medica and the treatment
of diseases was adopted by the universities long after*
that in anatomical dissection. The students learnt the
properties of drugs and the methods of compounding
them in the apothecaries' shops. In 1536 it was ordained
by law in Paris "that the bachelors of medicine shoukL
accompany the doctors in their visits to the apothe?-|
caries' shops, in order that they might be able to inform
themselves concerning drugs." J Already at that time
* D. PUYLON: Statuts de la faculte' de medecine en i'universite de Paris 1672,.
Art. 56 and supplement Art 5.—A. PINET : Lois, de"crets. reglements et circulaires
cone, les facultgs et les gcoles pr^paratoires de medecine, Paris 1880, i>
Art. 56, supplement Art. 8.
f Cf. CERVETTO op. cit. p. 139.
X PHILIPPE op. cit. S. 153.