A DEFENSE OF THE CAROLINGIAN “DEFENSE OF MEDICINE”: INTRODUCTION, TRANSLATION, AND NOTES
Joel L. Gamble
The “Defense of Medicine” prefaces the Codex Bambergensis Medicinalis 1, a Carolingian collection medical texts. Some scholars have dismissed Defense as an incoherent patchwork quotations. Yet, missing from literature is adequate assessment Defense's arguments. This present study includes first English translation accompanied by complete source commentary, prerequisite for valid content analysis. When read systematically and with attention to author's use sources, limpid cogent. Its purpose defend compatibility Christian faith secular medicine. Key propositions include following: God made nature good, so natural sciences are reconcilable divine learning; scripture respects medicine; expects sick avail physicians deserves honor healings done through physicians. Counter-arguments used opponents, who rejected medicine on principle, can also be reconstructed text. Two further purposes hitherto been explored insufficiently. After justifying medicine, addresses patients. It encourages them that illness spiritually healthful, instrument curing their souls. then caregivers. tells why they should succor sick, even poor: not gain or fame, but in imitation Christ if treating himself, whose image bear. thus contributes history ideas health, sickness, ethics altruistic care.
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