Trotula, The First Female Physician of Europe: A Historiographical Debate

Abstract

Objective: Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to evaluate the existence of Trotula, who is claimed to be the first female physician in Europe, as a historical personality and her role in the adventure of European Education History. Methods: A literature review was conducted on the subject using various databases including PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Library Genesis, Springer, Jstor Ebsco, ProQuest, and Social Sciences Index Retrospective between October 1, 2017, and May 01, 2021. Additionally, research was done in the libraries of London, Paris National Library, Oxford, and Glasgow universities. The studies on the works attributed to Trotula were evaluated, as well as the most prominent works on women's medicine from the XII. century, including the Liber de sinthomatibus mulierum, De curis mulierum, and De ornatu mulierum. Results: There is no clear information about whether a person named Trotula lived in Europe in the XII. century. However, in the light of available information, it is highly probable that a female healer named Trotula lived in Salerno. There are three works written in the fields of women's health and cosmetics entitled with Trotula Minor and Major, which are prepared by combining these works. Conclusion: Despite extensive research, no concrete evidence could be found to confirm the existence of a physician and writer named Trotula during the establishment of the first universities in Medieval Europe. Nevertheless, the books attributed to Trotula were widely circulated and served as an important source of knowledge in medieval European medicine.