Digital Gallery

Sir Thomas Elyot (1490–1546) wrote The Castel of Helth in order to introduce the English reading public to ancient Greek and Roman medicine, including the theory of the four humors. Although he was a diplomat, writer, and scholar, not a physician, Elyot’s book provided practical advice on maintaining health and diagnosing illnesses. He connected strong emotions, such as anger, and behavior, such as lechery, with the onset of distressing physiological symptoms and illnesses. Though criticized by physicians and other elites, the book was popular with the public—it went through 17 editions.

• Digital Collection