Tacuinum sanitatis
The Tacuinum (sometimes Taccuinum) Sanitatis[1] is a medieval handbook mainly on health. It is based on the Taqwim al‑sihha تقويم الصحة ("Maintenance of Health"), an eleventh-century Arab work an health by Ibn Butlan of Baghdad.[2] The text exists in several variant Latin versions.
It describes in detail the beneficial and harmful properties of foods and plants. It explains the six essential elements for well-being:
- sufficient food and drink in moderation,
- fresh air,
- alternations of activity and rest,
- alternations of sleep and wakefulness,
- secretions and excretions of humours, and finally
- the effects of states of mind.
Tacuinum Sanitatis says that illnesses result from imbalance of these elements.
Tacuinum Sanitatis Media
Tacuinum Sanitatis, Lombardy, late 14th century (Biblioteca Casanatense, Rome).
Notes
- ↑ Forbes, Andrew ; Henley, Daniel; Henley, David (2013). 'Tacuinum Sanitatis' in: Health and Well Being: A Medieval Guide. Chiang Mai: Cognoscenti Books. ASIN:B00DQ5BKFA
- ↑ E. Wickersheimer, "Les Tacuini Sanitatis et leur traduction allemande par Michel Herr", Bibliothèque d'Humanisme et Renaissance 12 1950:85-97.