ABSTRACT
During antiquity the medical profession does not appear to have submitted to any test as to the capacity of the physician or of his studies. Greece had its celebrated medical schools, but they conferred no diploma of any sort. In consequence of this the Romans w ere compelled to follow the traditions of their first masters, those w ho really initiated them into the science of medicine, so that the practice of the art was completely unfettered. “ At Rome, during the Empire as well as the Republic,” says Révillout, “ medical diplomas did not exist. Medicine Avas practised whenever and however one w ished, without obligation to follow studies or submit oneself for examination in the art.” This assertion is confirmed by Cod., vii. 7. 1, § 5, De comm. serv. manum. In fact, this text shows that in Roman law any individual, male or female, was considered a physician if he or she professed to be one.
