Women of Salerno

The Women of Salerno, also referred to as the "Ladies of Salerno," the "Salernitan women," and the "mulieres Salernitanae," are a group of women physicians who studied in medieval Italy, at the Schola Medica Salernitana, one of the first medical schools to allow females. These women not only practiced medicine, but they also were known to both teach and to publish medical works.[1] Additionally, there is evidence that they were not limited to the study of female diseases, but actually studied, taught, and practiced all branches of medicine.[2]

A miniature depicting the Schola Medica Salernitana from a copy of Avicenna's Canons

These women included:

• Trota of Salerno - The most famous of the Women of Salerno, Trota is believed to have lived during the 11th or 12th century.[1] She had long been believed to be "Trotula of Salerno," the author of a 3-part book about medical treatments for women, De curis mulierum ("On Treatments for Women"). However, recent discoveries indicate she was likely only the author of one third of this compendium.
• Constance Calenda - Lectured on medicine and was eventually a professor at the University of Naples.[3]
• Rebecca Guarna - Published works on "Fevers, De febrius" the "Urine, De Urinis " and the "Embryo, De embrione."[2]
• Abella - Published works on "Black Bile" and "Nature of Seminal Fluid"[2]
• Maria Incarnata
• Mercuriade - Published works on "Crises" "Pestilent Fever, De Febre Pestilenti," and "The Cure of Wounds, De Curatio"[2]