Dissections were carried out, chiefly upon animals, and human subjects were occasionally used.

In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the school reached its height, and that remarkable genius, Frederick II, laid down regulations for a preliminary study extending over three years, and a course in medicine for five years, including surgery.

Fee tables and strict regulations as to practice were made; and it is specifically stated that the masters were to teach in the schools, theoretically and practically, under the authority of Hippocrates and Galen.

The literature from the school had a far-reaching influence.

One book on the anatomy of the pig illustrates the popular subject for dissection at that time.( 6) The writings, which are numerous, have been collected by De Renzi.( 7) (6) "And dissections of the bodies of swine As likest the human form divine."-- Golden Legend.
(7) S.de Renzi: Collectio Salernitana, 5 vols., Naples, 1852-1859; P.Giacosa: Magistri Salernitani, Turin, 1901.
The "Antidotarium" of Nicolaus Salernitanus, about 1100, became the popular pharmacopoeia of the Middle Ages, and many modern preparations may be traced to it.
The most prominent man of the school is Constantinus Africanus, a native of Carthage, who, after numerous journeys, reached Salernum about the middle of the eleventh century.