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MS G 12

Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in National Library of Ireland

G 12

Medical

Early 16th cent. Vellum. 86 pp. Mainly 29.5 × 21 cms. (pp. 57-8, an intercalated leaf, and pp. 81-5 are of lesser dimensions).

The pagination is modern. Three separate fragments in three different hands, now occupying pp. 79-85, did not originally form part of the main manuscript but seem to have been added at the time of binding. The main manuscript, pp. 1-78, which is imperfect at the beginning and the end, is the work of three scribes, two of whom are unidentified.

The scribe of pp. 25-58 is identified in an addition to a previously incomplete colophon on p. 30 as Giolla Padraig mhac Giolla na Naomh mhic Muireadhaigh Í Chonchubhair. This identification is further evidence of the activity of a group of medical scribes of the Ó Conchubhair family at Aghmacart, Co. Laois, of which Fr. Paul Walsh (IER 5 ser. xx) and Mackinnon (Cat. Gaelic Mss. Scotland, p. 275) have given some notice. Donnchadh Óg Ó Conchubhair was clearly head of the school c. 1590-1610 He is described in a pedigree in RIA 3 C 19 as son of Donnchadh Liath mac Gilla Pádraig. Donnchadh Liath in his turn is described in a note recording his death in 1562 (RIA 23 N 17, p. 121) as son of Gilla Pádraig mac Giolla na Naomh, presumably our present scribe.

It may be noted finally that members of the Leinster families of Mac Caisin and Ó Cuileamhain were connected both with the Ó Conchubhair school (see NLI G 453) and with the nearby school of the family of Ó Bolgaidhe (see G 8, G 11 and RIA 23 M 36)]

The other two scribes wrote respectively pp. 1-13 and pp. 14-24; pp. 59-78 appear to have been written by the scribe of pp. 1-13 with occasional assistance from the other two. The hand which supplies the completion of the colophon on p. 30 also supplies omissions in the text on pp. 25-30.

The manuscript is written in double column, but the intercalated leaf and the fragments at the end of the manuscript are in single column. The scribe of pp. 14-24 has rubricated some of his work. The ruling is both by dry point and in brown-the first unidentified scribe favouring the latter. The average number of lines to the page is 42.

The vellum, though defective in a few places, is in good condition. The folio, now pp. 39-40, was brought to full size by the stitching on of a large triangular segment. The upper portion of pp. 55-6 is glued and thonged to the main part of the leaf. There is little staining; the first and last leaves and the fragments have marks showing they were at some time outer unprotected leaves.

The composition of the gatherings is as follows 1-20, 21-40, 41-56, 57-58 (an intercalated shorter leaf), 59-64, (followed by two tiny stubs, the conjugates of 59-60 and 77-78), 65-78. Pp. 79-85 are single leaves, fragmentary material not part of the original manuscript. Pp. 61-76 originally formed one gathering with 61-62 and its conjugate 63-64 as the outer leaves. This misplacement of leaves has caused the error in the sequence of the text of Lanfranc's Surgery noted below, p. 59. The gatherings show holes made by the sewing in a previous binding.

The manuscript is bound in full leather, blind-tooled, with Regimen Sanitatis in gilt on the spine. The end-papers (marbled) and fly-leaves bear the countermarks AHH & RP and D, not identified in the readily available sources. The crest of Sir Thomas Phillipps is stamped on the verso of the front end-paper with 10403, the number of the manuscript in Phillipps's catalogue, written below.

Who the owners of the manuscript were prior to Phillipps has not been ascertained ; in his Catalogus, p. 168, it is listed with others under 'Ex Bibl. Incert.' One of the fragments (pp. 81-84) has MS.26 in ink and A C (=Adam Clarke?) MS. 43 pasted on its last page. The following Latin hexameter occurs in a late hand on p. 3 lower margin edere qui possunt nil dignum laude per ipsos carpiendis aliis laudem vera <. . . in ane>.

Page

1a Acephalous. Beg. ⁊ a tshil ⁊ neanntog ⁊ a sil. . . Is iat so na leigis aonda fuarus na hairne. Ends donithear don limon. Fragment of what appears to have been a tract on the simple and compound medicines which 'cool' and 'heat' various parts of the body. The remaining sections here deal with the womb (an maclach) and the joints (na hailt).

For a fragmentary copy of a somewhat related text see King's Inns 18, 34-5 (the opening words which might have given the title or /and author are badly faded).
1a34 Beg. Fodhuiltear an corp a .4. reighionaibh do reir na n-eagnaidhi. An chedreighion dibh .i. reighion na mball ainmidhi . . . An dara reigion .i. reigion na mball spiridalta . . . An .3. reighion .i. reighion na mball oileamhnach . . . An .4. reighion .i. reighion na mball ngeineamhnac[h]. Ends ina mballaibh oileamhnac[h]a.

This tract deals with the regimen to be observed and the cures to be applied in various diseases that effect the different organs in the four divisions of the body. Authorities cited include Aristotle (p. 1b) Galen (p. 6a). The author refers (p. 3b1) to a previous work of his do reir mar do foillisighius annsa trachtadh do rinnius d'emotoica ⁊ do ptsisis.

A text, the opening words of which are 'Corpus humanum (al. hominis) in quatuor dividitur', listed in Thorndike, A Catalogue of Incipits, 122-3 (no author given), may have some connection with the present text.
6b17 Letting the basilic vein. Beg. Legar basilica ar tús isan chas so .i. cuisli na n-aedentar an t-adhbar do dileagad leis na luighibh si. . . A n-agaid teinnis an taoibh. . . Do guirme na coisi followed by recipes and instructions for time of pregnancy. Ends do cifighthear don liaigh.
7b12 A compilation of cures for various ailments. Beg. Do neascoid na timtireachta annso oir ni ni ele morus acht feoil imurcach a cosmailius smeire fhasus ansa timtireacht. Et adeir Avicenna curob imchubaid ceirin do thim ⁊ d'finegra. Other authorities cited in this section include Serapio, William of Varignana, Galen.

The following are the opening words of the remaining sections:

(2) Against flatulence. Beg. Is amhlaid tuicimsi na hadhbairsi a teacht o ghaothmaireacht reamair fuair.

(3) 8a Ear trouble. Beg. Do dordan ⁊ do siansan na cluas ⁊ an c[h]inn deis na folmaigthi ⁊ na neit[h] eadh ele adubrumar. Avicenna cited.

(4) 8b Kidney disease. Beg. Do theinnis na n-arann. Dent ar clistire co minic le neithibh bogthac[h]a.

(5) Ear trouble. Beg. Os a cosmail adhar fuar reamar do beith sa chorp.

(6) 9a Diseases of the head and face. Beg. Do tsalchar an c[h]inn ⁊ do deirgi ⁊ do ghoranaibh na haidhchi gnathaigthear neithe dileagas ⁊ folmaigius . . . 9b Ad faciem de albandam .i. do ghealadh na haidhci.

(7) 10a Diseases of the eye. Beg. Ad caligenem ⁊ sanguinem oculorum .i. bris aloe ⁊ cumusc. Ipocraid (p. 11a), Commentarius (passim) and Constantinus (p. 12a) cited as authorities. Includes (p. 11a40) the following spell In nomine Patris ⁊ signum na croiche naoim maille seli.

(8) 12b Ear ailments. Beg. Ad aurium dolorem .i. fin ⁊ mil ⁊ im arna cumusc. Alibertus cited.

This section is included in a different compilation of cures in RIA 23N17, p. 27. Owing to misplacement of leaves at the time of binding this and other items in that ms. have been incorrectly included in the tract derived from Geraldus de Solo in the RIA Cat. p. 2838. For the correct sequence of pages (and texts) in this section in the Academy manuscript see G 8 above, p. 111.

(9) Diseases of the teeth. Beg. De dolore dencium .i. sugh eidhinn talman do chur isin cluais. Commentarius cited.

(10) 13a Diseases of the joints. Beg. Riaghail annso o Chonstantinus ⁊ o Ipocraid ⁊ o Avicenna a n-easlaintibh na n-alt.

(11) Sciatica. Beg. Tigem anois chum leigis sciatica co spetsialta do reir uird ⁊ ordaighid na praiticeadha tinnscaint on sceathraigh ar tus isin cas so.

(12) 13b35 Haemorrhoids. Beg. Bidh a fhis agat gurob ar tri modaibh minighthear teinnius emoroidarum.

Ends na tri hoibrigthi adubrumar thshuas ⁊ rlá.
14 John of Gaddesden. Excerpt from ROSA ANGLICA. Beg. Regimen sanitatis est triplex .i. atait tri gneithe ar follamnugad na slainti .i. conseruatium ⁊ preseruatiuum ⁊ reductiuum mar foilisigius Galen sa .3. pairtegal do Tegni.

This tract is derived from the portion of the Rosa Anglica entitled 'De passionibus stomachi'. Another copy in Add. 15582 is described by O'Grady (BM i 263-265) who also supplies a reference to the corresponding chapters of the tract in the printed edition of the original. Edited from that ms., H. Cameron Gillies, Glasgow 1911.

The Irish version is attributed, in the present ms. only (p. 22b), to Cormac mac Duinn Shléibhe.

For a. fragment of the tract see Harl. 546, f. 57 (BM i 200).

Ends Et is lór so gé dho fhéadfainn moran ele do rad ar an adhbhur so (= ending of Add. 15582 and printed original for which see BM i 265) followed here by Tairrnic ann sin regimen sanitatis ⁊ Cormac mac Duinn Sleibhi do chuir a nGaoidilg é ⁊ rla.
23 Bernard of Gordon. DECEM INGENIA. Beg. Ingenia curacionis morborum quantum. . . atait .x. n-inntleachta ar leighis na ngalur an mhéid ata ar a lathairsi.

Tract on ten methods of curing diseases. For other copies see RIA 3C19, 24P15 (fragmentary) and a manuscript in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (Mackinnon's Cat. p. 301).

Ends sa .4. fen sa chedchaibidil followed by this account of the time and place of writing of the original, the second paragraph of which is not included in 3C19, the only other copy containing this account:

El is ann do rinneadh so a sduideir tsholus [ghlan 3C19] tShleibhe Pisolain. Et dob iad bliadna in Tigearna annsin mile bliadan ⁊ .2. 100 ⁊ 96 mbliadna a mí Iuil an ceadain a ndiaigh feile Marcialis.

Et o ata drong dona companachaibh lerb ail scela do beith acu dleagar a fis co bhfuil aimsear fhada o dho comamairne regimenta acutorum ⁊ tainig c[h]um lamh morain ⁊ do timurgimar ainnsein obair de creticis diebus co cumair maille himshlaine.

This is immediately followed by the scribal colophon Tairrnic annsin clar na n-inntleacht o Bernard de Gordoni. Et is e neach do c[h]uir a nGaoidhilg .i. Cormac o Duinn Sleibhi .i. baisiler annsan ealadain leighis ⁊ annsna healadnaibh ele ⁊ and completed in another hand (see introductory remarks above) as follows:

gac[h] aon leighfeas an leabhar tabradh beannachd ar anmuin an tí do scriobh e .i. Giolla Padraig mhac Giolla na Naomh mhic Muireadhaigh í Chonchubhair.


The remainder of the column is blank.
31 Tract on regimen to be observed, and remedies to be applied in a number of ailments compiled, apparently, from vanous sources; divided into the following sections:

(1) Gynaecological and obstetrical. Beg. [D]e prouocacione menstruorum et fetus mortui. . . .i. do t[h]ogairm na fola mista ⁊ in toirrchis mhairbh ⁊ na neitheadh ullmaigius c[h]um na geneamhna. Avicenna and Rhazes cited. Headed in [n]omine Patris ⁊ Filii ⁊ Spiritu Sancli amen.

This section is included in a different compilation of cures in Eg. 159, ff. 17-21 (BM i 284) and TCD E.4.14, p. 181.

(2) 35b Melancholia. Beg. Do leighis melincolia annso. Dileagthar linn dub ar tus mar so .i.

(3) 36a Headaches caused by stomach trouble. Beg. An tan donithear teinnius an chinn on gaile is imc[h] ubaid sceathrac[h] do genamh an tan sin.

This section and sections (6), (7), (8), (9), (11), (14), (15), (16) below form a compilation in RIA 23N16, ff. 124r-127 (see introductory remarks above).

(4) 36b Hernia operation. Beg. De ruptura sciphascis .i. do brisidh no do sineadh an tsicne re n-abar sciphac fhechadh an liaigh ca blén do a mbia an poll.

(5) 37a Brief notes on the following:

(i) Preparing honey for syrops. Beg. D'fhuaradh na meala c[h]um na siroipi .i. an mhéid bus ailt do mil.
(ii) How to make the best hot bath. Beg. As é so denumh an fot[h]raicthi te mar is fearr.
(iii) Number and names of herbs to be used for the eye. Beg. Ataid .7. luibhi. . . do threorugad c[h]um na sul.
(iv) Eye treatment. Beg. Nod leat gurub imc[h]ubaid uisci na fearthana ona sheime i ngac [h] uile easlainti sul.
(v) 37b Mouth ailment. Beg. A n-agaid excoriacio an beil.
(vi) Quinsy. Beg. Nod leat annsa squinancia.
(vii) Curative properties of the rhubarb. Beg. Nod leat gurub imc[h]ubaid an reubarbarum.
Avicenna and Mesue cited.
(viii) Headache and inducing sleep. Beg. A n-agaid teinnis an chinn.
(ix) Electuaries. Beg. Na lictubaire claechlaigtheac[h]a tabair maille siroip.
(x) Definition of the following terms: sap, rob, petaloigides, ruptura (ernia), tipus.

(6) 38a Sanguine urine. Beg. Do leigis an fuail fola. Riagal annso nach dleagar neithi sdipeacda do thabairt sa c[h]as so.

See (3) above. This section is also included in another compilation of remedies in Add. 15582, f. 30r.

(7) Ulcers (wounds). Beg. Dentar ceirin do shentaurea ⁊ foirid na seinchneada fliucha. Avicenna, Serapio, Galen cited.

See (3) above.

(8) 38b Brief note on paralysis, spasm, podagra (gout). Beg. Adeir Avicenna in .3°. canonis gurubh amhlaidh is coir purgoid luchta na pairilisi.

See (3) above.

(9) Brief note on purging of matter. Beg. Adeir Galen in .2°. Tegni da mbe an corp linta nac[h] dleagar an t-adbar d'fholmhugad.

See (3) above.

(10) Fistula. Beg. De fistula .i. don feadan ⁊ bith a fhis agat gurub eadh is feadan ann.

(11) 39a Dropsy. Beg. Do leighis na hidropisi ⁊ co hairigthi an tan tic o theasaideacht.

See (3) above.

(12) 4oa Ailments of the extremities. Beg. Dena deoch no siroip leis na luighibh so. . . 40b Da mbia teinnius isna ballaib forimillacha.

(13) Recipes for making syrops, oils, pills etc. from various herbs, etc. Beg. Mellecratum as mar so donithear e . . . sapa donithear le mil . . . An t-oximel aenda . . . siroip na uiola . . . ola na uiolo . . . 41a Ydromel. . . Siroip na n-airneadh . . . Pillide glanus an ceann . . . Item pillidhe eli do reir Misue.

(14) Brief notes on the following:
(i) loss of blood. Beg. Do chosc an teilgin fola.
(ii) When to apply ointment etc. to the body. Beg. Bith a fhis agat nac[h] dleagar an corp d'uinniminntiugad. See (3) above.

(15) Purgatives. Beg. Riagal genearalta annso nacdleagar aon leigeas lagthach . . . Adeir Magninius roim an leigeas lagthach do thabairt.

See (3) above.

(16) 41b On vomiting. Beg. Bith a fis agad an sceathrac[h] donithear do c[h]oimhéid na slainti. Magninius cited.

See (3) above.

(17) 42a Phthisis. Beg. Do leighis na heaslainti re n-abar ptisis. Et atait da leigis uirre. Avicenna, Hali, Messue, Duigi (= ? William de Dya) cited. Cf. King's Inns 16, fol. 9va for another copy.

(18) 43b Kidney disease etc. Beg. Ar galur na n-arann ⁊ in lamhannain ⁊ na slaiti ⁊ ar documlacht an fuail.

Ends ⁊ nemshaot[h]ar do genum ⁊ ca followed by the comment Is cloch mhuilinn an te nac{h] dingnadh mait[h]lena fhuil annso.
44b Geraldus de Solo. DE FEBRIBUS. Beg. [C]olera putresit extra uasa ⁊ ca .i. in tan morgus linn ruad don taoibh amuigh dona soithighibh donithear terciana interpullata.

Ends an othair co spetsialta. Finit. Followed by Tairrnic annsin trachtadh Geralldus de Solo ar mod [aib] leigis na bfiabrus.

For another copy see 23N16, ff. 127r4-133v (the items on ff. 124r-127r3 of that ms. are not part of the tract as indicated in RIA Cat. Ir. MSS., p. 1193).

For published editions of the original see Thorndike, A Catalogue of Incipits, 107.
53a Bernard of Gordon. On dysentery. Beg. Disinteria ⁊ ca .i. isead is disinteria ann flux folmar maille scris ⁊ re creachtaib na n-inneadh Ends a n-aimsir an gheimridh. ⁊ ca

Excerpted from the LILIUM MEDICINAE V 14. The last paragraph, 'Clarification', is omitted here.
58 Blank except for the following probationes pennae: fechain duiph ⁊ pinn ⁊ ni fo in damhsa. fechain glesa fechain glesa pinn da fechain cionnus ata tu anois da fechain in fo mo fpeann.
59 Lanfranc of Milan. CHIRURGIA MAGNA. Beg. [O]mne quod uolumus inuestigare uno trium modorum inuestigari potest .i. gac[h] ni bus ail linn do lorgaireacht is ar modh egin dana tri modhaibh so fheadmaid a lorgaireacht. Breaks off with p. 78 min eorna ⁊ mirr da 3.

Lanfranc's text contains five treatises (trachtadh), each of which is divided into teachings (forceatla) and agaln subdivided into chapters (caibidleacha). The Irish translation here breaks off in the middle of chapter eleven of the third teaching of the first treatise (corresponding to edition R. V. Fleischacker, Lanfrank's Science of Cirurgie, Early English Text Society, Original Series 102, 1894, p. 83.13).

The proper sequence of the text here should read as follows pp. 59-62; 65-76, 63-4, 77-8. For misplacement of leaves see introductory remarks. above.

A scribal error on p. 77b heads the new chapter an 10 caib instead of an 11 caib (the 10th having already been listed on p. 64b.

Another copy in 23N16, ff. 133v17-138v (edited from that ms., W. Wulff, ZCP xviii 249-86) is a mere fragment ending at a point corresponding to p. 67a13 of present ms. (== ed. Early Eng. Text Soc. p. 23.3).
79 Not part of the main ms. (see introductory remarks above). Cneadh hochta no gur hiadha | nír cneadh corcra gan caoine | gin do bi ort a háladh | do bi da ngabadh garg. . . Approximately 43 qq. if the 10 illegible lines on p. 80 be reckoned. Each quatrain is written on one line, but owing to marginal clipping much of all the last lines, has been clipped and what remains is faded.
81-4 Not part of the main ms. (see introductory remarks above). Mutilated fragment of translation of Commentary of Geraldus de Solo on the ninth book of Rhazes' Almanzor. Beg. Sex sunt nomina quorum quodlibet. Breaks off rosa ⁊ caimbium ⁊ gl.. .
For a full copy of this text see G 11 p. 103.
85 Not part of the main ms. (see introductory remarks above). Portions of a 15th cent. deed relating to an unidentified prebend. Very faded.