Trotula of Salerno

Trotula of Salerno ,11th–12th centuries, Italy.
The Trotula was a name given to compilations of medieval medical texts, Practica secundum Trotam (Trota's Practical Medicine), De egritudinum curatione (Treatment of Illnesses), and On Treatments for Women. One compilation was titled De passionibus mulierum (Diseases of Women), or Trotula Major.
Thus, some accept that the author of these texts was an 11th-century woman, Trota, who served as an obstetrician, gynecologist, and physician in Salerno, where there was in that time a school of medicine of significant fame. The school was a key entrance point into European Christian culture of the ideas and practices found in Arabic medical texts.
Many of the practices in the books are based on medical beliefs now known to be scientifically questionable or unfounded, such as "wind" in the uterus, or a "wandering womb." The books contain many herbal and other remedies for various medical conditions. Some practices are surprisingly modern, such as the use of silk thread to repair tears that occur during delivery, or the instructions for how to handle abnormal birth presentations. She recommended the use of opium in childbirth, contrary to church teachings that women must suffer in childbirth. Describes techniques for whitening teeth, dying hair, purifying skin, removing hair, and coloring lips. This text is shorter than the other two. Many of the treatments are of Muslim origin.