Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum
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
| 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. | 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. |
Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum
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)
| THE Salerne School doth by these lines impart | IF R. be in the month, their judgements erre, |
| All health to Englands King, and doth advise | That think that sleep in afternoon is good |
| From care his head to keep, from wrath his heart | If R. be not therein, some men there are |
| Drink not much wine, sup light, and soon arise, | That think a little nap breeds no ill blood: |
| When meat is gone, long sitting breeds smart: | But if you shall herein exceed too far, |
| And after-noon still waking keep your eyes. | It hurts your health, it cannot be with stood: |
| When moved you find your self to Natures Needs, | Long sleep at afternoons by stirring fumes, |
| Forbear them not, for that much danger breeds, | Breeds Sloth, and Agues, Aching heads and Rheums |
| Use three Physicians still; first Doctor Quiet, | The moisture bred in Brest [chest], in Jaws and Nose |
| Next Doctor Merry-man, and Doctor Diet | Are called Catarrh, or Tsfiqus, or the Pose. |
| RISE early in the morn, and straight remember, | GREAT Harms have grown, & maladies exceeding |
| With water cold to wash your hands and eyes, | By keeping in a little blast of wind: |
| In gentle fashion retching every member, | So Cramps & Dropsies [Edema], Colics have |
| And to refresh your brain when as you rise, | their breeding, |
| In heat, in cold, in July and December. | And Mazed Brains for want of vent behind: |
| Both comb your head, and rub your teeth likewise: | Besides we find in stories worth the reading, |
| If bled you have, keep cool, if bath keep warm: | A certain Roman Emperor was so kind, |
| If dined, to stand or walk will do no harm | Claudius by name, he made a Proclamation, |
| Three things preserve the sight, Grass, Glass, | A Scape to be no loss of reputation. |
| & fountains, | Great suppers do the stomach much offend, |
| At evening springs, at morning visit mountains. | Sup light if quiet you to sleep intend. |
