This list of symptoms comes from De retardandis senectutis accidentibus et de sensibus conservandis, a book about aging written in the 13th century by the Franciscan friar Roger Bacon (c.1214–1292?). Bacon’s book describes the effects of age, and how to both prevent and reverse them. In 1683 the physician Richard Brown (1647/8–1693/4?) translated Bacon’s work into English under the title 'The cure of old age and preservation of youth'.
The Accidents of Age and Old Age are, Grey Hairs, Paleness, Wrinkles of the Skin, Weakness of Faculties and of natural Strength, Diminution of Blood and Spirits, Bleareyedness, abundance of rotten Phlegm, filthy Spitting, Shortness of Breath, Anger, Want of Sleep, an unquiet Mind, Hurt of the instruments …
According to Bacon, it is not sufficient merely to treat symptoms of disease or aging when they occur. Everyone should adopt a careful daily regimen in order to maintain health and prevent illness. He identifies many causes of aging in people’s diets and in their daily lives. Activities such as eating fish, drinking too much water, frequent ‘sports of Venus’ (ie sexual activity), immoderate blood-letting, superfluous drunkenness, touching cold things, and frequent washing are all deemed to be harmful.
Old men are advised to eat two meals a day. The meals should include foods such as well-made bread, suckling calves, young geese, lamb, partridge, pheasants, figs, grapes, raisins, nuts, and almonds. It is, however, important to avoid eating other foods such as beef, mustard, garlic, onions, mushrooms, cheese, mulberries, cucumbers. Moderate consumption of wine – preferably red – is advised, though the reader is cautioned that it is harmful when ‘over-guzzled’.
The translator Richard Brown adds a note to say that ‘Chickens are a proper Food for sick and well People’, but that melons are certainly to be avoided, not least because they are reputed to have killed four emperors.
As well as describing the ideal preventive regime, Bacon provides some remedies for a patient who is already afflicted. Many of the concerns are as familiar to 21st century readers as to the original 13th century audience, even if the proposed solutions seem unusual today. A ‘certain Herb like unto Marjoram’ can be used to remove grey hairs and to encourage black ones to grow in their place. One treatment for wrinkles in the skin is to use ‘lotions and unctions’. Bacon also recommends preventing and removing them by maintaining good circulation of the blood, either by taking pepper, ginger or cloves, or by experiencing strong emotions, by enjoying music and songs, by taking part in games or by arguing with good friends!
Katie Birkwood, rare books and special collections librarian
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