Body: | The haven of health
1584 AD
Thomas Cogan
MB Oxon, physician, High Master of Manchester Grammar School
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Introduction:
In 1584 AD, Thomas Cogan viewed man as having both a body and a
soul. He stated that the mind was not connected with the body, but the
soul. However, he took the view that the the mind can cause the body to get
sick if a student studies endlessly in the night. This is exactly what the
Bible says: "But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books
is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body."
Ecclesiastes 12:12. He outlines that physical exercise is for the body and
study is exercise of the mind. He warns that that the mind will be harmed
by laziness and lack of use. "As man doeth consist of two partes, that is
of bodie, and soule, so exercise is of two sortes, that is to say of the
bodie and of the minde. Hitherto I have spoken of exercise of the bodie,
nowe I will entreat of exercise of the minde, which is Study. ... The
activity of the mind is never still. Idlenesse therefore is not onely
against nature, but also dulleth the minde, as Ovid woorthily writeth: In
addition the mind grows dull when harmed by long inactivity, and its
ability is much less than it was before." So Cogan clearly believes that
over use or under use of the mind can lead to physical illness. While this
is not true, the fact remains that Thomas rejected the idea that insanity
was something the body does to the mind. (The haven of health, Thomas
Cogan, 1584 AD, p 12)
The haven of health
THOMAS COGAN (?1545-1607)
MB Oxon, physician, High Master of Manchester Grammar School
The haven of health: chiefely gathered for the comfort of students, and
consequently of all those that have a care of their health, 1584 London,
Norton p 12
Studie Or Exercise Of The Minde Without Hinderance Of Health:
As man doeth consist of two partes, that is of bodie, and soule, so
exercise is of two sortes, that is to say of the bodie and of the minde.
Hitherto I have spoken of exercise of the bodie, nowe I will entreat of
exercise of the minde, which is Study : that is (as Hugo de Sancto victore
desineth it), A constant and intelligent employment of thought, either
striving to unravel something involved or searching to find out what is
hidden. This kinde of exercise (as Tulle writeth) is the naturall
nourishment of the minde and wit, for so he sayth, The consideration and
contemplation of nature is like a natural food of our minds and intellects,
and for an educated and learned man to think is to live. And likewise, So
great is our inborn love of knowledge and learning that no one can doubt
that man's nature is led to those pursuits by the attraction of great gain.
Which thing may well be perceived even in little children: for as soone as
they have gotten strength to goe of themselves, they are as busie as bees,
and they devise a thousande toys to be occupied in, Which motions no doubt
proceede from the minde. For (as Tullie sayth) The activity of the mind is
never still. Idlenesse therefore is not onely against nature, but also
dulleth the minde, as Ovid woorthily writeth: In addition the mind grows
dull when harmed by long inactivity, and its ability is much less than it
was before. Unless the fertile field is renewed by constant ploughing, it
will bear no grass except mixed with thorns. Wherefore notable is that
counsell of Isocrates ad Demonicum, try to make your body love exercise,
and your mind love study; for the strength of the body is naturally
increased by moderate exercise, but that of the mind by serious studies.
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