Description
Book SynopsisGalen, the personal physician of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, wrote what was long regarded as the definitive guide to a healthy diet, and profoundly influenced medical thought for centuries. Based on his theory of the four humours, these works describe the effects on health of a vast range of foods including lettuce, lard, peaches and hyacinths.
This book makes all his texts on food available in English for the first time, and provides many captivating insights into the ancient understanding of food and health.
Trade Review` This is a book to be dipped into periodically with equal measure of delight, disgust and surprise inspiring us to think about changes in our tastes and dispositions about diet through the ages. - Ron Iphofen, University of Wales, Bangor, Medical Sociology News, December 2001
'Anyone interested in the classics, in food, the history of medicine and health will find this book as fascinating as I did.' - Ron Iphofen, Medical Sociology News
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements, 1. Introduction, 2. On the Humours, 3. On Black Bile, 4. On Uneven Bad Temperament, 5. On the Causes of Disease, 6. On Barley Soup, 7. On the Powers of Foods: Book 1, 8. On the Powers of Foods: Book 2, 9. On the Powers of Foods: Book 3, Glossary of plant names, Notes, Editions and translations of ancient authors, Bibliography, Index
