[1] The distinction made in the text and in the title of this work is not new. It was recognized by the father of medico-legal science, Zacchias, in his two prefaces, one to the “lector medicus,” the other to the “lector legumperitus” (“Quæst. Med. Leg.,” Ed. Venet., 1727, fol.). In a note to the introduction of the “Medical Jurisprudence” of Dr. Paris and Mr. Fonblanque (the first work produced by joint authorship of a physician and a lawyer, in 1823) is the following (p. i.): “Some authors have objected to the term Medical Jurisprudence as implying a knowledge of the laws relating to medical topics, rather than an acquaintance with the medical science necessary for the elucidation of legal subjects. As it is our peculiar object to unite the sciences and to show their mutual relevance, the title becomes most applicable to this, although it may have been improperly affixed to former works.” The title of one of two existing French works in whose authorship a lawyer is associated is: “Traité de Médecine légale, de Jurisprudence médicale et de Toxicologie,” par Le Grand du Saulle, Geo. Berryer et Gab. Pouchet, 2d ed., 8vo, Paris, 1886.
[2] “Bibl. Hist.,” I., ii., 77; Miot’s transl., Paris, 1834, i., 157.
[3] L. c., I., ii., 82; transl., i., 165.
[4] L. c., I., ii., 75, 76; transl., i., 152.
[5] The “Papyros Ebers,” in the University of Leipzig, the most ancient medical text known, was written about 1550 B.C., and is probably one of the books referred to by Diodorus. It contains no statement bearing upon our subject. It is, however, simply a collection of descriptions of remedies, and their uses, including the incantations to be used with them. (See “Papyros Ebers,” H. Joachim, Berlin. 1890.) The same is true of the Berlin and Leyden papyri. The Bibl. Nat. (Tf. 2) possesses a Chinese manuscript on legal medicine. The catalogue does not, however, state to what period it belongs.
[6] For an account of early Indian medicine, see Th. A. Wise, “Review of the Hist. of Med.,” Lond., 1867, i., 272 et passim; “Hindu System of Medicine,” 1845, by the same author; Haeser, “Lehrb. d. Gesch. d. Med.,” 3. ed., i., 5-40.
[7] Hippocr.: “De Superfœtatione,” ed. Littré, viii., 472.
[8] Hippocr.: “De Septimestri partu;” ibid., “De Octimestri partu,” ed. Littré, viii., 432, 436, 452.
[9] “Aphorismi,” vi., 18, 24; “De Morbis,” ed. Littré, vi., 144.
[10] Petit, S.: “Leges Atticæ,” Lugd. Bat., 1742, lib. iii., tit. 8.