"Thou to health and vigor should attain
Shun mighty cares, all anger deem profane
From heavy suppers and much wine abstain;
Nor trivial count it after pompous fare
To rise from the table and take to the air.
Spurn idle noonday slumbers, nor delay
The urgent call of nature to obey.
These rules if thou wilt follow to the end
Thy life to greater length thou may extend"
Cover page of Regimen Sanitatis Salernitatum c. 1480
The original poem is written in Latin and is part of the book "Regimen Sanitatis Salernitarum" published in 1480. This book contains articles and poems by Afflacius, Bartholomeus, Copho, Ferrarius, Petronius, Johannes Platearius, and Trotula. The editor of the book was Arnold de Villa Nova. It was later translated into English.
The author of the book was Constantinus Africanus of Carthage (1020-1087). His birth and original religion is in question, some stating that he was a Sarracen, and therefore born as a Muslim. He traveled extensively in Egypt, Greece, Italy, and India. His ability to read and speak Arabic, Latin, Greek, and other languages, helped him later to be considered one of the important translators of medical books bringing lost Latin and Greek knowledge in books from Arab countries into Europe.
After arriving in Salerno, Constantinus became a monk and dedicated his life to the publication of medical translation, not hesitating to call other's works as his own.
It is considered one of the two great publications of the School of Salerno in the Medieval Ages, the other one being the "Compendium Salernitatus"
More on this wonderful book here.
Source:
"Medieval and Renaissance Medicine" B.L. Gordon 1959 Philosophical Library Inc. USA
