but set all your hopes upon the Lord who is the preserver of our lives. In your search for knowledge about drugs consult the herbarium of Dioscorides, who has described and pictured the different herbs with great accuracy. Afterward read Latin translations of the works written by Hippocrates and by Galen, particularly the latter's treatise on therapeutics, the one which he addresses to the philosopher Glaucon; and, in addition, study the work of Caelius Aurelianus on the practice of medicine, that of Hippocrates on medicinal plants and methods of treatment, and some of the other writings on medicine which you will find in my library and which I have left behind me for the benefit of my brethren in this institution.
The advice given by Cassiodorus was heeded, not only
by those to whom it was addressed, but also by many succeeding
generations of monks. Even at the present time,
says Neuburger, the books which Cassiodorus recommended
are still to be found, either in the form of original manuscript
copies or in that of translations, in the library of
the parent institution. Furthermore, when it is remembered
how large a number of affiliated Benedictine monasteries
were established in different parts of Europe, it will
readily be appreciated that the good accomplished by the
advice which Cassiodorus gave must have been very great.
Among the later abbots of Monte Cassino there were three who attained considerable distinction as physicians. They were Bertharius, who wrote two treatises on medical topics; Alphanus II., Archbishop of Salerno, who was celebrated both as a physician and as a poet; and Desiderius (1027-1087 A. D.), who was skilled, not only in medicine, but also in jurisprudence, and who was elected Pope under the title of Victor III. The monastery attained the height of its celebrity at the time when Constantinus the African became one of its regular members. Although Constantinus was a native Arab (born at Carthage about 1018 A. D.), he became converted to Christianity quite early in life. It is said that he was a great traveler as well as a great scholar, and that he devoted several years to visiting foreign lands—Babylonia, India, Egypt and Ethiopia. It was in this way that he became so well versed in the lan-
