Digital Objects

The Flos medicinae Scholae Salernitanae or the Regimen Sanitatis Salerni is a poem without a precise date of compilation nor the author; it is assumed that the first version circulated the X century. The poem is originally dedicated to the King of England Robert II, Duke of Normandy and represents a collection of suggestions to improve health and conduct a healthy life inspired to the medical knowledge of the Salerno’s physicians. The book has been attributed to Arnaldo de Villanova, who produced with certainty another similar work the Liber de servanda iuventute et retardanda senectute. The most reliable interpretation about the text origin is that it means a joint and anonymous work inspired by tradition collected and commented by Arnaldo da Villanova on XIII century. The work represents an innovative view of lifestyle in the Middle Age, and it offers an alternative angle to the fanatic medieval mysticism focussed on the deprivation and the mortification of the body. The Regimen shows the right remedies against suffering and dictates the rules for a healthy and enjoyable life. The writing is a literary work following the tradition of tacuina or the theatra sanitatis, encyclopaedic writing where nature and culture are balanced to promote health and happiness.

The book was edited in Paris in 1505 by the printer Pierre Le Dru, the author indicated is Arnaldo de Vill Noua, the language is Latin. The illustration is a block print. The copy comes from the library of the Casa Profesa de la Compania de Jesus located in Madrid. Other examples of later editions are included to illustrate different models of editions.