The Rule of Saint Benedict

Berors all things and above all things special care

must be taken of the sick, so that in very deed they be

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 69

looked after as if it were Christ Himself who was served. He Himself has said, I was sick, and ye visited Me ; and what ye did to one of these, My least brethren, ye did to Me.1"8

But let the sick themselves bear in mind that they are served for the honour of God, and should not grieve their brethren who serve them by their superfluous demands. These, nevertheless, must be borne with patience, since from such a more abundant reward is obtained. Let the abbot, therefore, take the greatest care that the sick suffer no neglect.

For them let a separate cell be set apart with an attendant who is God-fearing, diligent and painstaking. Let baths be granted to the sick as often as it shall be expedient, but to those in health, and especially to the young, they shall be seldom permitted. Also for the recovery of their strength the use of meat may be allowed to the sick and those of very weak health. As soon, however, as they shall mend they

must all in the accustomed manner abstain from flesh

70 THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT

meat. Let the abbot take special care that the sick be not neglected by the cellarer or the attendants, because he is responsible for what is done amiss by

his disciples.