Catalogue of Gaelic Manuscripts in the National Library of Scotland
© Ronald Black, 2011
Adv. LS 72.1.14
(Gaelic MS XIV). MEDICAL.
Mackinnon, p.49; Mackechnie, p.155.
15–16th cent. Vellum. 16 ff. Folio. Two independent layers, but the text in both is part of book 2 of the commentary on the Aphorisms of Hippocrates. Now quite separate, loose; the cover in which they were bound from ?16th cent. to 1970 is Adv.MS.84.1.18. Notes in the latter suggest that around 1600 the combined manuscript was successively the property of Andrew Beaton and of his son Neil, and that it may perhaps have come into the hands of Rev. John Beaton in 1667. Kilbride no.10 both by Major MacLachlan’s enumeration (“10th Medical”, Adv.MS.84.1.18, ff. 3r, 4v) and by Hugh Kerr’s. The latter’s name or initials appear at Adv.MS.84.1.18, ff. 2v and 6v, and on almost every leaf of Adv.MS.72.1.14. Foliation modern.
Ff. 1–8 (first layer)
A gathering. 29 × 21 cms. The main text-hand, an attractive one with elliptical curves, also appears at Adv.MS.72.1.26, f. 7r, where it alludes to a Mac Maol-tuile, and at Adv.MS.72.1.10, ff. 2r, 2v, 3r, and 5v, where it emends a copy of book 1 of the present tract. This suggests an origin in east Connacht. A less remarkable hand begins the layer (to 1r.b5) and ends it (from 8v.a12), adding above a comment on the script (?“….maith an litir…..so this”). f. 8v bears some other marks as well. Little decoration, no colouring. Stained, but nowhere severely.
f.
1r.a1 On APHORISMS of Hippocrates, cf. Adv.MS.72.1.10, f. 1r.a37. Beg. Acephalous tarta ⁊ renell geal a n-ichtar in fuail = Adv.MS.72.1.13, f. 26r.a10. First complete section begins Estive quartane ut multum fiunt breves. Ends “⁊ is deacra na sin isna seanoiribh” = 12v.a41 = Adv.MS.72.1.13, f. 28v.b x, i.e. end of section beg. Branci et corrise in valde senibus non manturuntur. Represents book 2, nos.24–40. Also covered in parts by ff. 9–16 and Adv.MS.72.1.13, ff. 25–8; no additional authorities cited.
Ff. 9–16 (second layer)
A gathering. 29 × 22 cms. Text written by a single hand, clear and functional. Occasional capitals carefully coloured red. At f. 10r another hand writes “Prult .i. aibluigadh mor .i. medhughadh….”. The large hand of Adv.MS.72.1.10, f. 6v, and Adv.MS.84.1.18, ff. 2v and 5r, inscribes some letters in lower margins of 11r (trimmed) and 12r; it seems also to have been responsible for inserting some capitals where the text-hand left space for a decorated initial. Finally, at f. 12v, upper margin, Fearghus Ó Fearghail writes “……Muiri ingheine doing(?) snathadh ar gach ngalar ar an tes lus acend agcenn gach gabhaidh a talamh. Misi Ferghus qui sgribsit”. Original tear at f. 15 repaired in red thread. Staining note severe except on outsides.
9r.a1 On APHORISMS of Hippocrates, cf. Adv.MS.72.1.10, f. 1r.a37. Beg. acephalousAcephalous Et adeir Galien isin gluais so = 3r.b x . First complete section beg. (N)on secundum recionem aleviatis non oportet credere. Ends incomplete “An tan bes an dat luaigi signigid tigearnas”, in section beg. Quando estas sit veri similis. Represents book 2, no.26 – book 3, no.6. Also covered in part by ff. 1–8 and Adv.MS.72.1.13, ff. 27–8. Authorities cited additional to those in Adv.MS.72.1.13, ff. 27–8: Rhazes, Aristotle, Avicenna, Dionysius (10r.b w), Bernard of Gordon, Hali, Serapion (15r.a3), Ptolemy (15v.b11, 16r.a24).