[Protophysicians and the Protomedicato Tribunal in Catalonia]

The creation of the Protomedicato of Castile by the Catholic Monarchs meant the persistence, in Catalonia, of the royal protophysicians of the ancient Crown of Aragon. The new institution gradually came to depend on the Protomedicato, and was completely assimilated during the XVIII century. Some well-defined periods are analyzed, ie, the persistence of direct royal appointments, a close relationship between the protophysicians and the College of Medical Doctors, and a clear influence of the Academy of Medicine during the last period of the 18th Century.