The School of Salernum is the earliest forms of a medical academy you could find in Christian Europe around 800 A.D. After even the school had been around for one thousand years, until politics had crushed their version of 'common sense'.
After becoming reduced to poems, they became famous to be well known, so in fact they would memorize them like studying Solomon's Proverbs. Useful to those who could appreciate the common health suggestions. A physician who could not quote the poems were looked upon with suspicion. Here is a mild example of some of there poems:
*To Live A Long Life*
If thou to health and vigor attain, Shun weighty cares, all anger deem profane.
From heavy suppers and much wine abstain, Nor trivial count after pompous fare. To rise from the table and to take the air.
Shun idle, noonday slumber, nor delay, The urgent calls of nature to obey.
These rules if thou wilt follow to the end,
Thy life to greater length thou mayst extend.
*Things hurtful to Sight*
Much Bathing, Venus, Blustering winds and wine,
And meat of every sort preserved in brine,
With lentils, pepper, mustard, also beans,
Garlic and onions by such hurtful means,
With too much labor amid dust and smoke,
Weeping, or watching fires, we thus invoke,
With long exposure to the noon sun,
The direst Wrongs that can to sight be be done,
But vigils are, by far, more noxious still,
Than any form of single minded ill.
*Remedies for Catarrh*
Fast well and watch. Eat hot your daily fare,
Work some, and breathe a warm and humid air.
Or drink be spare, your breath at times suspend,
These things observe if you your cold would end.
A cold whose ill effects as catarrh.
Bronchitis, if into the throat it flows,
Corzyza, if it reach alone the nose.
*Sage*
Why should he die, whose garden growth sage? `
No other plant with death such strife can wage
Sage soothes the nerves, and stills a trembling hand,
And sharpens fevers fly at its command,
The beaver, sage, and lavender will bring,
With tansy, and the cress first gifts of spring.
*Nettle*
The nettle to the sick man slumber brings,
To Live A Long Life If thou to health and vigor attain, Shun weighty cares, all anger deem profane.
From heavy suppers and much wine abstain, Nor trivial count after pompous fare. To rise from the table and to take the air.
Shun idle, noonday slumber, nor delay, The urgent calls of nature to obey.
These rules if thou wilt follow to the end,
Thy life to greater length thou mayst extend.
*Elecampane*
Elecampane brings joyous health to all,
Thoracic organs, wether great or small,
To drink juice, combined with that of rue,
It’s the best thing ruptured men can do.
Thank you for reading my post and have a great day :D
