One of the most respected physicians of the 17th century, Thomas Sydenham, completed his tome, "Schedula Monitoria de Novae Febris Ingressa," more than 300 years ago today, summing up all he knew about disease. Sydenham, known as the "English Hippocrates," became popular throughout England for his belief that medical training was best achieved through observation, not from theory. Well ahead of his time, Sydenham believed that good health depended, among other things, on fresh air, proper diet, exercise and proper rest. He died three years after completing his book.

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