As a writer of historical fiction, I use many publications to search for information, even just snippets. This book by Sujata Iyengar is a dictionary of the Bard’s medical references, and is superb. Each entry is described in with regard to the general period use of the item, then indicates its appearance in actual works by Shakespeare, and further mentions of other, generally later works that provide extra information.
The book is so packed full of interest that it is one to browse through at an idle moment, or indeed to read through intently, page by page. Easy to use and beautifully written (nothing boring here!) it is one I thoroughly recommend.
I do not doubt that its contents are equally applicable to the 15th century.
Oh, and it is also one of a series, e.g. Shakespeare’s Religious Language, and Shakespeare’s Political and Economic Language. I have not read them and so cannot comment on them, but I trust they are up to Sujata Iyengar’s standard.
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