the medical school of Salerno actually existed until 1811, when it was dissolved by a decree of Napoleon I.
As evidence of the monopoly of Avicenna in the medical schools of Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and doubtless for a long period previously, the following from the preface to a Latin translation of the works of Paulus Egineta is quoted by Leclerc:—
Avicenna, who is regarded as the Prince and most excellent of all
physicians, is read and expounded in all the schools; and the ninth
book of Rhazes, physician to the Caliph Almansor, is similarly read
and commented on. These are believed to teach the whole art of
healing. A few later writers, such as Betruchius, Gatinaria, Guaynerius,
and Valescus, are occasionally cited, and now and then
Hippocrates, Galen, and Dioscorides are quoted, but all the other
Greek writers are unknown. The Latin translations of a few of
the books of Galen and Hippocrates which are in use are very
corrupt and barbarous, and are only admitted at the pleasure of
the Arabian Princes, and this favour is but rarely conceded.
The most notable event in the history of pharmacy
after the earlier Crusades was an edict regulating the
practice of both medicine and pharmacy issued by
Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of
Sicily. This monarch, probably the ablest ruler in the
Middle Ages, who died in 1250, had great esteem for
Arab learning. Mohammedans and Jews were encouraged
to come to Naples during his reign, and he
facilitated by all means in his power the introduction
of such innovations as had been acquired from Cordova
and Bagdad.
The edict referred to mentions "apotheca," meaning thereby only the warehouses where prepared medicines were stored. Those who compounded the medicines were termed "confectionarii," the places or shops where they were sold were called "stationes," and the persons
