Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum
The Regimen of Health from the School of Salerno
Title page for the First Printed Edition, edited by Arnold de Villa Nova, 1480
Title page of The Englishmans Doctor, 1608
An English translation of the Regimen Sanitatis
An English translation of the Regimen Sanitatis
The School of Salerno in Italy was the first medical school in Europe. It had large input from Arab writers, the influence of its teachings and writings having a great impact on European medicine. The Regimen Sanitatis (Regimen of Health), written in verse, is believed to have been written by the Professors of the School around the 12th Century (some believe as early as 1050) as a guide to maintaining Health for the common people.
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The following is a transcribed copy of the 1608 English translation in verse of the Regimen Sanitatis, translated for the King of England as a general guide to maintaining Health. We have loosely divided it into 5 main sections to make navigating the text more easy and have made some commentaries to help understand the text. It is worth noting that much of the information agrees with Ayurvedic and TCM theory on maintaining Health.
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Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum
The Regimen of Health from the School of Salerno
Part 1. INTRODUCTION
The Regimen of Health from the School of Salerno
Part 1. INTRODUCTION
The School of Salerno from a copy of the Canon of Avicenna
(original in the University of Bologne)
(original in the University of Bologne)
THE Salerne School doth by these lines impart
All health to Englands King, and doth advise From care his head to keep, from wrath his heart Drink not much wine, sup light, and soon arise, When meat is gone, long sitting breeds smart: And after-noon still waking keep your eyes. When moved you find your self to Natures Needs, Forbear them not, for that much danger breeds, Use three Physicians still; first Doctor Quiet, Next Doctor Merry-man, and Doctor Diet RISE early in the morn, and straight remember, With water cold to wash your hands and eyes, In gentle fashion retching every member, And to refresh your brain when as you rise, In heat, in cold, in July and December. Both comb your head, and rub your teeth likewise: If bled you have, keep cool, if bath keep warm: If dined, to stand or walk will do no harm Three things preserve the sight, Grass, Glass, & fountains, At evening springs, at morning visit mountains. |
IF R. be in the month, their judgements erre,
That think that sleep in afternoon is good If R. be not therein, some men there are That think a little nap breeds no ill blood: But if you shall herein exceed too far, It hurts your health, it cannot be with stood: Long sleep at afternoons by stirring fumes, Breeds Sloth, and Agues, Aching heads and Rheums The moisture bred in Brest [chest], in Jaws and Nose Are called Catarrh, or Tsfiqus, or the Pose. GREAT Harms have grown, & maladies exceeding By keeping in a little blast of wind: So Cramps & Dropsies [Edema], Colics have their breeding, And Mazed Brains for want of vent behind: Besides we find in stories worth the reading, A certain Roman Emperor was so kind, Claudius by name, he made a Proclamation, A Scape to be no loss of reputation. Great suppers do the stomach much offend, Sup light if quiet you to sleep intend. |
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