Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum, 1481

The treatise contained on these folios of MS 169 is the Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum ('The Salernitan Rule of Health'). This 'Regimen' text is a medieval didactic poem on the rules for health, according to humoural medical theory. Despite bearing the name of the influential Italian medieval medical school (Salerno), there is no real evidence that this text originated there. Its author is unknown, although it is attributed to John of Milan. There is also some confusion over when it was first written: probably sometime between the 12th-13th centuries, but perhaps as early as the mid-11th century.

The 'Regimen' is a text that advises the medieval reader how to maintain health through balance of the humours. This was achieved through correct diet, hygiene, and amounts of things such as sleep and exercise. The text was popular as a medical work because of its rhyming verses, which were easy to remember. The late 13th-century physician, theologian and scholar, Arnald of Villanova produced a commentary on the original Latin version of the 'Regimen'. The poem, with Arnald's commentary is contained in MS 169.