Later we see Vautier, physician to _Marie de Medecis_, one of the malcontents sent to the Bastile for political reasons. Valot, Daquin and Fagon, all physicians to Louis XIV., were politicians, but were also great dispensers of Royal favor. Medical politicians figured largely in the time of Louis XIV. Among the independents, we may cite Guy Patin, the intimate friend and adviser of Lamoignan and Gabriel Naude, who was one of the most erudite men of the age. Under such conditions, no wonder that medicine entered into a new phase of progress. The time of study was now fixed at six years; after this there were examinations, from which, unfortunately, however, clinical medicine was excluded; examinations corresponded with the grades of Bachelor and doctor; finally—triumphant act of culmination—came the thesis with the obligation of the solemn Hippocratic oath. The degree of Bachelor had existed since the foundation of the University of Paris. The Bacchalauri, or Bachalarrii,[7] were always students for the doctoral title. After numerous other tests, they signed the following obligation: 1. I swear to faithfully observe all secrets with honor, to follow the code and statutes laid down by the Faculty, and to do all in my power to assist them. 2. I swear to always obey and respect the Dean of the Faculty. 3. I swear to aid the Faculty in resisting any undertaking against their honor or ordinances, especially against those so-called doctors who practice illicitly; and also submit to any punishment inflicted for a proscribed action. 4. I swear to assist in full robes, at all meetings, when ordered by the Faculty. 5. I swear to assist at the exercises of the Academy of Medicine and the school for the space of two years, and sustain any question assigned me, in medicine or hygiene, by a thesis. Finally, I swear to be a good citizen, loving peace and order, and observe a decent manner in discussion on all questions laid down by the Faculty. This oath was read in Latin by the Dean, and, as enumerated, each candidate for a degree solemnly answered “I swear” after each article. Ranged with physicians at this period, although on a lower plane, came the surgeons and barbers; these had been created under the title of _mires_ and _meges_, by medical monks, who could not, under the canons, resort to surgical operations, as it is written _Ecclesia abhorrhet a sanguine_.