Gilbertus Anglicus, also known as Gilbert the Englishman, was a prominent 13th-century physician whose work, Compendium Medicinae, stands as a significant contribution to medieval medical literature. Born around 1180, Gilbertus received his early education in England before studying at the Schola Medica Salernitana in Italy, one of Europe’s foremost medical schools. His treatise, likely written between 1230 and 1250, aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the medical knowledge of his time, encompassing pharmacology, medicine, and surgery. Drawing extensively from Greek, Arab, and Salernitan sources, including Galen, Hippocrates, Avicenna, and Averroes, Gilbertus synthesized existing medical knowledge into a structured format.
The Compendium Medicinae is divided into seven books, each addressing different aspects of medical practice. The first book focuses on fevers, offering detailed classifications and treatments. Subsequent books cover a range of topics, including diseases of the head and nerves, the eyes and face, external members, internal diseases, and the generative system. Gilbertus emphasizes the importance of purging the body to restore balance, recommending venesection for sanguineous conditions and purgation for others. He also discusses the significance of diet and lifestyle in maintaining health, advising travelers on proper hygiene and precautions during journeys.
One notable aspect of Gilbertus’s work is his approach to chronic diseases, particularly gout. He provides various remedies, such as the “Pilulae artheticae Salernitorum” and “Oleum benedictum,” many of which contain hermodactyl root, believed to be colchicum autumnale. Gilbertus also addresses leprosy, classifying it into four varieties and discussing its transmission, including a chapter on “De infectione post coitum leprosi,” which explores the disease’s spread through sexual intercourse.
Gilbertus’s Compendium Medicinae was widely read and studied up to the 17th century, influencing medical education and practice for centuries. His work reflects the medieval synthesis of ancient and contemporary medical knowledge, embodying a holistic approach to health that considered the body, mind, and environment. Despite the passage of time, Gilbertus’s contributions remain a testament to the enduring legacy of medieval medical scholarship.