One of the Medical Triads in the Llanover MS. is that by Taliesin; it runs thus:—
“There are three intractable substantial organs: the liver, the kidney, and the heart.
“There are three intractable membranes: the dura mater, the peritoneum, and the urinary bladder.
“There are three tedious complaints: disease of the knee joint, disease of the substance of a rib, and phthysis; for when purulent matter has formed in one of these, it is not known when it will get well.”
Howel Dda (or the good) in the year 930 A.D. compiled the following laws of the Court Physician:—
“Of the mediciner of the household, his office, his privilege, and his duty, this treats.
1. The twelfth is the mediciner of the household.
2. He is to have his land free: his horse in attendance: and his linen clothing from the queen, and his woollen clothing from the king.
3. His seat in the hall within the palace is at the base of the pillar to which the screen is attached, near which the king sits.
4. His lodging is with the chief of the household.