Gilette of Narbonne (fl. 1300)

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Gilette of Narbonne (fl. 1300)

French physician. Flourished around 1300 in Narbonne, France; daughter of Gerard of Narbonne, a physician.

Gilette of Narbonne was a French towns-woman, the daughter of the physician Gerard of Narbonne. Gilette learned the science of medicine from her father; after his death, she continued treating his patients. She was a highly respected doctor, and Giovanni Boccaccio wrote of her in one of his books, calling her Donna Medica ("Lady Doctor"). It was reported that she was so renowned that the French king summoned her to treat him, and that she cured him of fistula.

Laura York , Riverside, California

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