How to Improve Your Brain, 1596
Andreas Vesalius, De humani corporis fabrica, 1555
Wellcome Library, London
A Rule to knowe what thinges are good and holosome for the Braine.
- To eate Sage, but not overmuch,
- To drinke Wine measurablie,
- To keepe the Head warme,
- To washe your Hands often,
- To heare litle noise of Musicke or Singers,
- To eate Mustarde & Pepper,
- To smell the sauour of Red-roses, & to washe the Temples of your Heade often with Rose-Water.
These Thinges are ill for the Braine.
- All manner of Braines,
- Drunkennes,
- To stand much bare-headed,
- Overmuch Watching,
- Overmuch Bathing,
- Cheese,
- Garlicke,
- Overmuch Knocking or Noise, & to smell a white Rose.
A Rich Store-House or Treasury for the Diseased
A bouquet of white roses: the floral equivalent of a concussion.
So, to be smart ... drink, but not too much, and wash your hands, but bathe as little as possible, get rid of your door knocker, and don't stand bareheaded watching a field of white roses while eating garlic cheese.
Well, there go my summer plans.
Also, avoid All manner or Braines. There's a reason zombies appear dumb. Or maybe they just bathed too much and stayed too sober.
Rather Lancastrian, eh? (Red roses good, white roses--Yorkist--bad.)
Drat. I love cheese. This explains so much.