On Delaying the Effects of Old Age

Medical works of Roger Bacon and others.

1 (folio 1). "On the preservation of health and youth... a book by Roger Bacon." original: "De conseruacione sanitatis et iuuentutis . . . liber Rogerii de Bacono" The prologue begins: "Lord of the world who [comes] from a most noble stock." original: "Domine mundi qui ex nobilissima stirpe"

2 (folio 18v). "A summary of the regimen for the elderly," original: "Summa regiminis senum" and "On the baths of old and elderly men." original: "De balneis senum et seniorum"

3 (folio 20). "On the composition of certain medicines" [etc.]. original: "De composicione quarundam medicinarum" It begins: "Let us begin in the name of the Lord most high." original: "Incipiamus in nomine domini excelsi"

4 (folio 21v). "Here begins the Antidotary which Roger Bacon made." An Antidotary is a collection of recipes for medical remedies and antidotes. Original: "Incipit Antidotarius quod fecit rogerus bacun." It begins: "After completion." original: "Post completum"

5 (folio 25). The treatise "On the preservation of youth" original: "De conseruacione iuuentutis" or "A discourse on an admirable thing," original: "Sermo rei admirabilis" without title and anonymous. It begins: "I intend to compose a discourse." original: "Intendo componere sermonem"

6 (folio 31v). "Here begins a certain principal treatise from the edition or composition of Brother Roger Bacon of the Order of Friars Minor regarding the graduation of compound medicines" In medieval medicine, graduation refers to the mathematical calculation of the intensity of qualities like heat or moisture in a drug. Original: "Incipit quidam tractatus principalis ex edicione siue composicione fratris rogerii Bacun ordinis fratrum minorum de graduacione medicinarum compositarum" [etc.]. It begins (folio 32r): "Every inherent form." original: "Omnis forma inherens"

7 (folio 33v). "Here begins an exposition or explanation of the aforementioned treatise according to another master wise in mathematics, etc." original: "Incipit exposicio siue declaracio predicti tractatus secundum vnum alium magistrum sapientem in mathematicis, etc." It begins: "The exposition of the chapter on degrees so that true knowledge." original: "Exposicio capituli de gradibus ut uera cognicio"

8 (folio 42). "Here begins the treatise on the errors of physicians according to Brother Roger Bacon, of the Order of Minors." original: "Incipit tractatus de erroribus medicorum secundum fratrem Rogerium bacun. de ordine minorum." It begins: "The common sort of physicians." original: "Vulgus medicorum"

9 (folio 49v). "Sayings of Brother Roger Bacon in the book of six sciences, in the third degree of wisdom" original: "Dicta fratris Rogerii bacon In libro sex scienciarum in 3o gradu sapiencie" [etc.]. It begins: "In the proper regimen of the body." original: "In debito regimine corporis"

10 (folio 53). "Another treatise of the same Brother Roger, extracted word for word from the sixth part of the Compendium of the Study of Theology, which book he made at the request of Pope Clement" original: "Alius tractatus eiusdem fratris rogerii extractus de sexta parte compendii studii theologie de uerbo ad uerbum, quem librum fecit ad instanciam pape clementis" [etc.]. It begins: "Truly the bodies of Adam and Eve." The original Latin "adde et eue" is a scribal variation for "Ade et Eve." Original: "Corpora uero adde et eue"

11 (folio 57v). A letter from Arnald of Villanova to Master James of Toledo regarding the greatest secret of medicine, "extracted from the mine of a noble animal, namely from S.H.O." These initials likely refer to an alchemical substance, such as human blood or spirits, used in the creation of a panacea. Original: "Arnaldi de Villa Nova ad magistrum Jacobum de Toleto epistola de maximo secreto medicinae 'extracte ex minera nobilis animalis videlicet ex S.H.O.'" It begins: "Master James, dearest friend, you asked me some time ago." original: "Magister Jacobe, amice carissime, dudum me rogastis"

12 (folio 59v). "The book of the fifth essence according to Brother Roger Bacon of the Order of Minors." The fifth essence, or quintessence, was an alchemical substance believed to hold the power of life and health. Original: "Liber quinte essentie secundum fratrem Rogerium Bacun de ordine minorum" It begins: "Solomon said." original: "Dixit Salomon"

13 (folio 95). An explanation of Arithmomachia. Arithmomachia, or 'The Battle of Numbers,' was a highly complex board game used in the Middle Ages to teach arithmetic and geometry. Original: "Expositio Arithmomachiae" It begins: "For some introduction into the game of philosophers." original: "Pro aliquali introductione in ludum philosophorum"

14 (folio 128v). An astronomical treatise titled The Light of the World in Astronomy, by the author Joseph Nachmiasch. Written in Hebrew. original: "Tractatus astronomicus cui titulus Lux mundi in astronomia, auctore Josepho Nachmiasch: Hebraice."