Teaching of medicine of the University of Bologna in the Reinaissance

• Published in: Revista de investigacion clinica Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 170 - 176
• Main Authors: Romero y Huesca, Andrés, Moreno-Rojas, Juan Carlos, Soto-Miranda, Miguel Angel, Ponce-Landín, Francisco Javier, Hernández, Daniel Alejandro, Ramírez-Bollas, Julio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.03.2006
• Subjects: Education, Medical - history; History, 15th Century; History, 16th Century; History, Medieval; Italy; Universities - history; Italy
• ISSN: 0034-8376

The foundation date of the University of Bologna was 1150, was the first European University and set the pattern. The combination of structured teaching and students association marked the origin of the studium generale. The presence of teaching legists encouraged teachers in others fields to come to Bologna. Ars dictaminis, grammar, logic, philosophy, mathematical arts and especially medicine were taught there by the middle of the thirteenth century. The university had to offer advanced instruction in law, medicine, and theology, had a minimum of six to eight professors teaching civil law, canon law, medicine, logic, natural philosophy and usually rhetoric. Many professors bearing local names were able scholars and commanding figures in medicine and surgery. Taddeo Alderotti (1210-95) began to teach medicine in Bologna about 1260. He soon raised medicine to a prestigious position in the university. The geographical distribution demonstrates the international character of the student body 73% were Italians and 26% non Italians. The decision of the commune of Bologna to wrest control of the university from the students by paying professors was probably the most important decision in the history of Italian universities. Examination of the distribution of professors offers a detailed picture of the faculty. In 1370 the university had 11 professors of civil law, seven professors of canon law, three professors of medical theory, two of medical practice (the specific of diagnosis and treatment), and one professor of surgery. After growing steadily the numbers of teachers stabilized at 85 to 110 until 1530.