ENBalm for the Body (MS Add.628)
Description
Nathan ben Joel Falaquera’s learned Hebrew compendium of medicine ‘Balm for the Body’. A theoretical treatise in the tradition of the great Arabic compendia, Falaquera’s compendium was divided into four parts (theoretical medicine; practical medicine; diseases; drugs) and prefaced with a philosophical discussion on the importance of the study of medicine. Its intention was to acquaint Jewish physicians with the knowledge of medicine available in the Arabic-speaking world (both Islamic and Classical sources). It appears to have been a popular work in the 14th and 15th centuries, with more than a dozen manuscripts from this period extant. This copy, in an Ashkenazi hand on 15th-century Italian paper, is missing substantial sections, however, and seems not to have been finished, breaking off midway through a page (mid-word, in fact) on f. 145r. It is, however, a particularly fine and large manuscript, in two columns with wide margins, with skilfully executed headings in red, green, blue and brown ink, foliage and scrollwork around chapter and section headings, as well as small pen illustrations (including pierced hearts, faces, poppies, bells) frequently brightening up the section numbers. The manuscript’s first three folios are missing, so it begins with the end of the table of contents (col. 1 on f. 4r) and continues with Nathan’s introduction and the first section on theoretical medicine (4r-46v); this section closes on f. 46v with ובכאן נשלם החלק הראשון ועתה אתחיל החלק השני; the section on practical medicine follows (46v-145r) before breaking off.
The title of the work is written in a later square hand at the top of f. 4r, ספר צרי הגוף. Further marginal notes, corrections and additions in various hands can be found at f. 5r and rarely throughout the text, e.g., 65r. Where illuminated headings have been cut out of the manuscript, some traces remain, e.g., f. 12r. Many smaller illuminated headings have survived, e.g., f. 21r. Descenders on the lowest line of each column are often adorned with tiny illustrations, usually faces, e.g., 34r, 35r and 40v. Section numbers are similarly treated, e.g., 57v, 58r and 112r.
The censor's signature occurs at the end of the text on f. 145r, ‘Gio[vanni] dominico carretto 1610’.
Metadata:
Extent: 145 ff. Leaf height: 360 mm, width: 260 mm.
Former Owner(s): Schönblum, S.
Binding:
Bound in quarter black morocco, with vellum tips and marbled paper sides, by Douglas Cockerell and Son, 1948; wrongly labelled 'Maimonides' on the spine
Decoration: Various illuminated headings have been cut or torn out f.6r and f. 7r and f. 9r . Introductory words are written in large bold script in red, blue, green or brown ink f. 15v), f.27r and f.28v.
Title: Balm for the Body
Layout:
42-48 lines in two columns
Funding:
Date of Creation: 15th century
Origin Place: Germany (?)
Script:
Ashkenazi script
Alternative Title(s): ספר צרי הגוף
Language(s): Hebrew
Physical Location: Cambridge University Library
Additions: Some introductory words have been decorated with framed patterns of foliage 21r and 32v
Classmark: MS Add.628
Subject(s): Medicine, Medieval; Manuscripts, Hebrew
Author(s) of the Record: Ben Outhwaite, Catherine Ansorge
Abstract:
Nathan ben Joel Falaquera’s learned Hebrew compendium of medicine ‘Balm for the Body’. A theoretical treatise in the tradition of the great Arabic compendia, Falaquera’s compendium was divided into four parts (theoretical medicine; practical medicine; diseases; drugs) and prefaced with a philosophical discussion on the importance of the study of medicine. Its intention was to acquaint Jewish physicians with the knowledge of medicine available in the Arabic-speaking world (both Islamic and Classical sources). It appears to have been a popular work in the 14th and 15th centuries, with more than a dozen manuscripts from this period extant. This copy, in an Ashkenazi hand on 15th-century Italian paper, is missing substantial sections, however, and seems not to have been finished, breaking off midway through a page (mid-word, in fact) on f. 145r. It is, however, a particularly fine and large manuscript, in two columns with wide margins, with skilfully executed headings in red, green, blue and brown ink, foliage and scrollwork around chapter and section headings, as well as small pen illustrations (including pierced hearts, faces, poppies, bells) frequently brightening up the section numbers. The manuscript’s first three folios are missing, so it begins with the end of the table of contents (col. 1 on f. 4r) and continues with Nathan’s introduction and the first section on theoretical medicine (4r-46v); this section closes on f. 46v with ובכאן נשלם החלק הראשון ועתה אתחיל החלק השני; the section on practical medicine follows (46v-145r) before breaking off.
The title of the work is written in a later square hand at the top of f. 4r, ספר צרי הגוף. Further marginal notes, corrections and additions in various hands can be found at f. 5r and rarely throughout the text, e.g., 65r. Where illuminated headings have been cut out of the manuscript, some traces remain, e.g., f. 12r. Many smaller illuminated headings have survived, e.g., f. 21r. Descenders on the lowest line of each column are often adorned with tiny illustrations, usually faces, e.g., 34r, 35r and 40v. Section numbers are similarly treated, e.g., 57v, 58r and 112r.
The censor's signature occurs at the end of the text on f. 145r, ‘Gio[vanni] dominico carretto 1610’.
Bibliography:
Descriptions of the manuscript
Format: Leaf
Material: Paper, with unicorn watermark (Italian, 15th c.)
Condition:
Affected by damp and ink corrosion, many initial pages torn or excised.
Provenance: Worts Benefaction: bought in 1870 from S. Schönblum . Previously belonged Netanel סנרי, dated 4324 = 1664 5r; a censor Gio[vanni] Domenico Caretto, 1610 is also named 145r
Author(s): Falaquera, Nathan ben Joel, 13th cent