Greco-Roman and other professional texts are provided for context. The humoral system of medicine proposed in them was the basis of Western medicine for centuries and influenced Middle Eastern systems as well. It is useful to understand the theory. Other than that, I tried to list some resources that you could access for free or perhaps find at your library. I have others if you are looking for something specific e-mail me at stephany.hoffelt@goddard.edu.
Databases and Online Digitized Collections
Library of Congress Selected Works on Cookery
National Library of Medicine Manuscript Receipt Books
Medieval Cookbook Search Use the search function for the words fever, medicine, cure, invalid, and pain.
Manuscript Cookbooks Survey Database of pre-1865 English-language manuscript cookbooks.
Databases and Online Digitized Collections
Library of Congress Selected Works on Cookery
National Library of Medicine Manuscript Receipt Books
Medieval Cookbook Search Use the search function for the words fever, medicine, cure, invalid, and pain.
Manuscript Cookbooks Survey Database of pre-1865 English-language manuscript cookbooks.
The manuscript recipe
books are mainly from the New England and Mid Atlantic areas, with a few from
England. The books range in date from 1669 to the early 1900s.
Historical Reference Primary Sources
Hippocrates. On Regimen in Acute Diseases. Translated
by Adams, Francis, ca. 400BCE.
Celsus,
Aulus Cornelius. De
Medicina LIBRI I-VIII. Translated by Spencer. W.G. 1938
Translation. Vol. 1-3. III vols. London, England: William Heinemann LTD, ca.
44.
Dioscorides. De Materia Medica. - Five Books in One Volume: A New English Translation. Translated by Osbaldeston, T. Johannesburg: IBIDIS Press, ca. 60.
Plinius Secundius, Gaius. Pliny Natural History LIBRI I-II. Translated by Rackham, H. 1938 translation. Vol. I. Ten vols. Loeb Classical Library. London. England: William Heinemann LTD, ca. 77.
Plinius Secundius, Gaius. Pliny Natural History LIBRI XXIV-XXVII. Translated by Jones, W.H.S. 1956 translation. Vol. VII. London, England: William Heinemann LTD, ca. 77.
Apicius. Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome. Translated by Joseph Dommers Vehling. 1926 Reprint. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, ca. 400.
Dioscorides. De Materia Medica. - Five Books in One Volume: A New English Translation. Translated by Osbaldeston, T. Johannesburg: IBIDIS Press, ca. 60.
Plinius Secundius, Gaius. Pliny Natural History LIBRI I-II. Translated by Rackham, H. 1938 translation. Vol. I. Ten vols. Loeb Classical Library. London. England: William Heinemann LTD, ca. 77.
Plinius Secundius, Gaius. Pliny Natural History LIBRI XXIV-XXVII. Translated by Jones, W.H.S. 1956 translation. Vol. VII. London, England: William Heinemann LTD, ca. 77.
Apicius. Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome. Translated by Joseph Dommers Vehling. 1926 Reprint. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, ca. 400.
Aegineta,
Paulus. Medical Compendium in Seven
Books. Translated by Adams, Francis. 1847 Translation. Vols
1-3. London, England: Sydenham Soc., ca. 600.
Jocks, Ianto Thorvald. “The Compositiones Medicamentorum of Scribonius Largus.” University of Glasgow, 2013.
Middle English Compendium
Jocks, Ianto Thorvald. “The Compositiones Medicamentorum of Scribonius Largus.” University of Glasgow, 2013.
Middle English Compendium
Pollington,
Stephen. Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plant Lore, and Healing. Cambridgeshire,
England: Anglo-Saxon Books, 2008. Contains partial text and translations
of Lacnunga, Bald’s Leechbook and others written in the 9th Century. [Print
Source]
Cockayne,
Thomas Oswald. Leechdoms,
wortcunning, and starcraft of early England: …3 vols. London: Longman,
Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1866. These are translations of
documents dating to the Anglo Saxon period and older.
Warner, Richard Antiquitates Culinariae, or Curious Tracts Relating to the Culinary Affairs of the Old English, published in 1791 but written about older manuscripts.
Green, Monica, trans. Trotula: An English Translation of the Medieval Compendium of Women’s Medicine.2001 Translation. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, ca. 1100. [Print Source] This is a very important source in terms of women's medicine. I'd splurge and buy it if I were you.
John of Milan. Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum. Code of Health of the School of Salernum. Translated by John Ordronaux. 1870 Translation. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott & co., ca. 1150. (It was 1563 when the scribes Aodh Ó Cendamhain, Cairbre, and Daibhí Ó Cearnaigh translated this to Irish.)
Warner, Richard Antiquitates Culinariae, or Curious Tracts Relating to the Culinary Affairs of the Old English, published in 1791 but written about older manuscripts.
Green, Monica, trans. Trotula: An English Translation of the Medieval Compendium of Women’s Medicine.2001 Translation. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, ca. 1100. [Print Source] This is a very important source in terms of women's medicine. I'd splurge and buy it if I were you.
John of Milan. Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum. Code of Health of the School of Salernum. Translated by John Ordronaux. 1870 Translation. Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott & co., ca. 1150. (It was 1563 when the scribes Aodh Ó Cendamhain, Cairbre, and Daibhí Ó Cearnaigh translated this to Irish.)
Thomas
Gloning, trans. “Enseignements
Qui Enseingnent a Apareillier Toutes * Manieres de Viandes.” Ms.
lat. 7131, fol. 99va. Bibl. Nationale. ca. 1300.
Anglici, Johannis. Rosa Anglica Sev Rosa Medicinæ Johannis Anglici: An Early Modern Irish Translation of a Section of the Mediaeval Medical Text-Book of John of Gaddesden. Translated by Wulff, Winifred. 1923 Translation. London, England: Simpkin Marshall LTD. ca. 1314. (It was 1492 when this was translated into Irish.)
Anglici, Johannis. Rosa Anglica Sev Rosa Medicinæ Johannis Anglici: An Early Modern Irish Translation of a Section of the Mediaeval Medical Text-Book of John of Gaddesden. Translated by Wulff, Winifred. 1923 Translation. London, England: Simpkin Marshall LTD. ca. 1314. (It was 1492 when this was translated into Irish.)
Hieatt,
Constance B., and Robin F. Jones, trans. “Two Anglo-Norman Culinary Collections
Edited from British Library Manuscripts Additional 32085 and Royal
12.C.Xii.” Speculum 61, no. 4 (1986): 859–82. 1320-1340.
Lanfranco,
of Milan. Lanfrank’s “Science
of Cirurgie”. Edited from the Bodleian Ashmole Ms. 1396 (Ab. 1380
A.D.) and the British Museum Additional Ms. 12,056 (Ab. 1420 A.D.). Edited
by Fleischhacker, Robert von. 1894 Reprint. Pub. for the Early English society
by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & co, 1380.
Myddfai,
Meddygon. Physicians of Myddvai. Edited by Williams, John. Translated by
John Pughe. 1861 Translation. London, England: Welsh MSS Society, Longman &
Co., 1382.
Anon. The
Book of Cooking in Maghreb and Andalus in the Era of Almohads. Translated
by Martinelli, Candida. 2012 translation. Al-Andulus, Spain: ca. 1400.
Austin,
Thomas. Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery-Books: Harleian Ms. 279 (Ab.
1430), & Harl. Ms. 4016 (Ab. 1450), with Extracts from Ashmole Ms. 1429,
Laud Ms. 553, & Douce Ms. 55. London, England: Early English text
society, 1888.
Russel,
John. “The
Boke of Nurture.” Harleian MS 4011. Translated by Furnivall, Frederick.
London, England, ca 1465. British Museum.
Brunschwig,
Hieronymus. Liber de
Arte Distillandi; English. Translated
by Andrewe, Laurens. [Imprynted at London: In the flete strete by me Laurens
Andrewe, in the sygne of the golden Crosse, In the yere of our lorde.
M.ccccc.xxvii. the xviii daye of Apryll. 1527.
Treveris, Peter. The Grete Herball. London, England: the author, 1529.
Treveris, Peter. The Grete Herball. London, England: the author, 1529.
Ibn
Botlan, Ibn. Tacuinum Sanitatis. Translated by Westbrook, Adele and
Ratti, Oscar. 1976 Translation. New York, NY: George Braziller Inc., 1531. Online Version
Croy,
Anne de, Princesse de Chimay. “Recueil d’aulcunes
Confections et Mèdicines Bien Spèciales et Singulières Que Madame La Duchesse
d’Arscot Princesse de Chimay.” MS2222, 1533. Welcome
Library.
Harris, Karen, trans. “Manual de Mugeres En El Qual Se Contienen Muchas y Diversas Reeutas Muy Buenas,” ca. 1550.
de
la Cruz, Martinus. Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis.
Translated by Badiano, Juahn. Tlaltilulco, Mexico: College of Santa Cruz, 1552.[Print]
Dodoens,
Rembert. A Nievve Herball, or Historie of Plantes. Translated by Henry
Lyte. 1578 Translation. Early English Books, 1475-1640 / 289:01. London,
England: AT LONDON by my Gerard Dewes, dwelling in Pawles Churchyarde at the
signe of the Swanne, 1554.
Rodolphus,
Gerardus. “Convolute Gent KANTL 15.” Translated by Muusers,
Christianne. Gent, Belgium, 1560. Royal Academy of Dutch Language and
Literature.
Brunschwig,
Hieronymus. A Most
Excellent and Perfecte Homish Apothecarye or Homely Physik Booke, for All
the Grefes and Diseases of the Bodye. Translated out the Almaine Speche into
English by Ihon Hollybush. Translated by Hollybush,Ihon. Imprinted at
Collen: By [the heirs of] Arnold Birckman, in the yeare of our Lord M.D.LXI.
[1561], 1561.
Hertford, Katherine Seymore. A briefe discourse… Transcribed by Daniel Myers from University of Pennsylvania Ms. Codex 823. 1567. (Note: I do not ascribe to Myer’s use of the term commonplace book to describe this manuscript. Commonplace books were a different thing entirely than manuscript receipt books.)
Hertford, Katherine Seymore. A briefe discourse… Transcribed by Daniel Myers from University of Pennsylvania Ms. Codex 823. 1567. (Note: I do not ascribe to Myer’s use of the term commonplace book to describe this manuscript. Commonplace books were a different thing entirely than manuscript receipt books.)
Tusser,
Thomas, Fiue Hundreth Points of Good Husbandry Early English Books,
1475-1640 / 1696:13. Imprinted at London: In Flete strete within Temple barre,
at the signe of the Hand [and] starre by Rychard Totell, anno. 1573., 1573.
Hester,
John, The True and Perfect Order to Distill Oyles out of Al Maner of Spices
Seedes, Rootes, and Gummes…Edited by Gabriele Falloppio. Early English
Books, 1475-1640 / 2140:11. [London: J. Charlewood] 1575.
Hill,
Thomas. The Gardener’s Labyrinth. Translated by Mabey,
Richard. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1577. [Print Source]
Monardes,
Nicolás, ca. Ioyfull Nevves out of the Newe Founde Worlde …. Translated
by John Frampton fl. London, England:
Imprinted at London : In Poules Churche-yarde, by Willyam Norton, Anno Domini.
1577.
A.
W. A Book of Cookrye: Very Necessary for All Such as
Delight Therein. / Gathered by A.W. Early English Books,
1475-1640 / 2344:08. Imprinted At London: by Edward Allde.1587.
Dawson,
Thomas. The Good Husvvifes Ievvell . Imprinted
at London: By Iohn Wolfe for Edward White, dwelling at the litle North doore of
Paules at the signe of the Gunne. 1587.
Gerard,
John. The
Herball Or Generall Historie of Plantes.
London, England: Norton, John, 1597. (Note: There is 1633 version of this
publication which has been edited by Thomas Hill. I have both. There are not
significant changes and they are well documented.)
Corlyon,
Mrs. “"A Booke of
Diuers Medecines, Broothes, Salues, Waters,Syroppes and Oyntementes of Which
Many or the Most Part Haue Been Experienced and Tryed by the Speciall Practize
of Mrs Corlyon. Anno Domini 1606,” 1606.
Mildmay,
Lady Grace. “The
Autobiography of Grace, Lady Mildmay.” Edited by Martin, Randall. Renaissance
and Reformation / Renaissance et Réforme 18, no. 1 (1994): 33–81.
Markham,
Gervase. Countrey
Contentments, or the English Huswife | LSE Digital Library. London,
England: R.
Jackson,
1623.
Catchmay,
Lady Frances. “A Booke of
Medicens,” 1625
Digby,
Venetia. “English Recipe
Book, 17th Century,” MS7391. Wellcome Collection.
Parkinson,
John. Theatrum
Botanicum. London, England: The Cotes,
1640.
Culpeper,
Nicholas. The
English Physitian: OR AN Astrologo-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs
of This Nation. London. England: Printed by Peter Cole, at the sign of the
Printing-Press in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange., 1652.
Kent,
Elizabeth Grey. A
Choice Manual of Rare and Select Secrets in Physick and Chyrurgery…;
Published by W.I., Gent. London, England: Printed by G.D., and are to be
sold by William Shears, 1653.
W.M.
The Queens
Closet Opened Incomparable Secrets in Physick, Chyrurgery, Preserving, and
Candying …. London, England: Printed for Nath. Brooke, 1659.
Woolley,
Hannah, fl. The
Ladies Directory... Early English Books, 1641-1700 / 2629:14.
London; Printed by T.M. for Peter Dring, at the Sun, next dore to the Rose
Taverne in the Poultry.1662.
Fanshawe,
Ann. “Receipt Book of Ann,
Lady Fanshawe,” Wellcome Collection.
Blencowe,
Ann. The Receipt Book of Mrs Ann Blencowe A.D. 1694. Edited by
Saintsbury, George. [1972 Reprint]. London: The Adelphi, Guy Chapman, 1925. [Print]
Borlase,
Alice. Ladie Borlase’s Receiptes Booke. Edited by Schoonover, David E. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1998.
[Print]
Carteret,
Grace. “Manuscript Recipe
Book of Grace Carteret, 1st Countess Granville (1654-1744).” London, UK, Wellcome Collection.
Sharp,
Jane. The
Compleat Midwife’s Companion: Or the Art of Midwifry Improv’d.. London,
England: Printed for John Marsall, at the Bible in Grace church stereet, 1725.
History of Food & Drink Collection. “Book for Receipts.” Virginia Tech, Ms2008-024. 1731.
Blackwell, Elizabeth. A curious herbal : containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick engraved on folio copper plates, after drawings taken from the life / by Elizabeth Blackwell. To which is added a short description of ye plants and their common uses in physick. Vol. 1. 2 vols. London, England: Printed for Samuel Harding, 1737-1739., 1737.
Blackwell, Elizabeth. A curious herbal : containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick. Vol. 2. 2 vols. London, England: London : Printed for John Nourse at the Lamb, 1737.
History of Food & Drink Collection. “Book for Receipts.” Virginia Tech, Ms2008-024. 1731.
Blackwell, Elizabeth. A curious herbal : containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick engraved on folio copper plates, after drawings taken from the life / by Elizabeth Blackwell. To which is added a short description of ye plants and their common uses in physick. Vol. 1. 2 vols. London, England: Printed for Samuel Harding, 1737-1739., 1737.
Blackwell, Elizabeth. A curious herbal : containing five hundred cuts, of the most useful plants, which are now used in the practice of physick. Vol. 2. 2 vols. London, England: London : Printed for John Nourse at the Lamb, 1737.
Cleland,
Elizabeth. A New and Easy Method of Cookery. Edinburgh, Scotland: W.
Gordon, C. Wright, S. Willison, J. Bruce, 1755.
Glasse,
Hannah. The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy: Which Far Exceeds Any Thing
of the Kind Yet Published ... London, England: W. Strahan, J. and F.
Rivington, J. Hinton, 1774.
Johnston,
Isobel Christian. The Cook and Housewives Manual by (Meg Dods).
Edinburgh, Scotland: Bell & Bradfute, 1826.
Randolph,
Mary. The
Virginia Housewife... Edited by John Plaskitt. Baltimore, MD: John
Plaskitt, 1836.
Hooker,
Margaret Huntington. Early American Cookery: Or Ye Gentlewoman’s Housewifery.
2010 Reprint. Ashville, NC: Native Ground Books and Music, 1896.
Farmer,
Fannie. Food and Cookery for the Sick and Convalescent. Boston, MA:
Little, Brown and Company, 1904.
Clark,
Charlotte Coltman. The
Cookery Book of Lady Clark of Tillypronie. Edited by Catherine Frances
Frere. London, England: Constable & Company LTD, 1909.