The haven of health
1584 AD
Thomas Cogan
MB Oxon, physician, High Master of Manchester Grammar School

1. 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.

 By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.

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