The Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum: The Masterpiece of Medieval Medicine

    It is a famous poem,also referred to as the 'Salerno Book of Health', that embodies the perfect union between medicine and literature. Dating back to the 12th-13th century, this masterpiece is one of the most illustrious in medical and literary history, a testament to the intellectual excellence of the Salerno Medical School.

    With over a hundred manuscript versions and about 300 prints that have come down to us, the Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum has traversed the centuries, leaving an indelible imprint on the history of European medicine. René Moreau, a prominent scholar of the seventeenth century, narrates that even the future king of England, Robert, son of William the Conqueror, came to Salerno to treat the wounds sustained during the crusades, receiving not only treatment, but also a manuscript containing precepts for a healthy lifestyle and diet.

    Throughout Europe, the Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum circulated in various editions and versions, enriched by comments that added or removed elements, reflecting the evolution of medical thought over the centuries. Even today, terms and expressions coined in the Regimen are an integral part of our medical language, a testament to its lasting impact on Western culture.

    This extraordinary work offers common use advice that goes well beyond simple medical treatment, representing a unique tool for understanding the uses, customs, beliefs, and practices of the Middle Ages. The Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum is not just a medical text, but a fascinating journey through the society and culture of the Middle Ages, offering valuable lessons of wisdom and life that continue to inspire and guide even in the modern era.

    In conclusion, the Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum is much more than a simple poem: it is a treasure trove of knowledge and human experiences that continues to illuminate the path of medicine and Western culture, testifying to the timeless wisdom and beauty of the Salerno Medical School.
 

Here is a small excerpt from its preface:

Praefatio
Anglorum regi scribit schola tota Salerni: 
si vis incolumem, si vis te reddere sanum, 
curas tolle graves, irasci crede profanum, 
parce mero, cenato parum, non sit tibi vanum

surgere post epulas, somnum fuge meridianum, 
non mictum retine, nec comprime fortiter anum: 
haec bene si serves, tu longo tempore vives. 
si tibi deficiant medici, medici tibi fiant 
haec tria, mens laeta, requies, moderata diaeta

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