Books

Folio (ca. 31 x 42 cm). 2 vols. 379 ff. with 1 diagrammatic woodcut. 357 ff. Contemporary full calf over wooden boards on four raised double bands, blind- and gilt-stamped, one volume with 2 brass clasps (and remnants on the other volume). Two complete volumes, in their contemporary Renaissance bindings, of the four-volume Latin edition of Avicenna's magnum opus. Gerard de Cremona's widely received translation was here edited by Jacques Ponceau with the commentaries of Jacobus de Partibus and Johannes Lascaris. - The principal writing of Abu Ali al-Husain ibn Abdullah ibn Sina (ca. 980-1037), the "Qanun" is the most authoritative medical text in the Islamic world. Written in Arabic, it was widely translated throughout the Middle Ages and formed the basis of medical training in the West as late as the mid-17th century. Through this encyclopedic work, the author exerted "perhaps a wider influence in the eastern and western hemispheres than any other Islamic thinker" (PMM). "The 'Qanun' [.] contains some of the most illuminating thoughts pertaining to distinction of mediastinitis from pleurisy; contagious nature of phthisis; distribution of diseases by water and soil; careful description of skin troubles; of sexual diseases and perversions; of nervous ailments" (Sarton, Introduction to the History of Science). "[Avicenna's] Canon is one of the most famous medical texts ever written, a complete exposition of Galenism. Neuburger says: 'It stands for the epitome of all precedent development, the final codification of all Graeco-Arabic medicine'. It dominated the medical schools of Europe and Asia for five centuries" (Garrison/M. 43). The present two volumes comprise the complete Third Book, fen 1-12 and 13-22, and thus cover the principal part of the Qanun: special pathology and therapy "a capite ad calces" (from head to toe), including ailments of the ear, nose, and throat, as well as obstetrics. Volumes 1 and 4 (not present here) comprised books I (452 ff.) and book IV, fen 1 (142 ff.); books II and V were not part of this edition. Both volumes lack merely the final blank leaf, otherwise complete with ample margins showing occasional deckle edges. Some light browning, some waterstaining to edges (mainly towards end of vol. 2), otherwise very little staining; some worming mostly confined to blank margins. A few contemporary ms. annotations. Both volumes in their original, prettily blind- and gilt-tooled brown leather bindings over wooden boards. Provenance: traces of removed bookplates on pastedowns. According to a pencil note on the inside front cover of the first volume, the set was removed from the Fritzlar Cathedral Library, parts of which were dispersed in 1724 and in 1803. Later sold at Venator (Cologne), sale 23/24 (1962), lot 15 (with illustration plate IV); old sales notice pasted to inside front cover of first volume. - H 2214. GW 3127. Goff A-1428. BMC VIII, 302. Proctor 8616. BSB-Ink A 964. IGI 1125 u. Corr. Pell. 1668. Polain 444. Voull. Bln. 4708. Claudin IV, 88-93. Klebs 131.13. Panzer I, 553, 200. Not in Oates, Osler, Waller, or Wellcome.

The publication of Avicenna's "The Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb) in the early 11th century marked a monumental milestone in the history of medical science and publishing. This comprehensive medical encyclopedia, authored by the Persian polymath Ibn Sina (980–1037 AD), known in the West as Avicenna, synthesizes the medical knowledge of ancient and medieval worlds, weaving together the threads of Greek, Roman, and Islamic medical wisdom into a coherent and systematic narrative that would dominate the medical landscape for centuries to come. "The Canon of Medicine" is methodically organized into five books, each serving a distinct purpose but together forming a complete body of medical knowledge. The first book lays down the general principles of medicine, introducing theories of health, sickness, and treatment. The second book catalogues about 800 natural remedies, emphasizing the importance of materia medica in treatment. The third and fourth books are devoted to diseases: the former focusing on ailments specific to certain body parts, and the latter on systemic diseases affecting the body more generally. The fifth book, a practical formulary, provides guidance on the preparation of various remedies. The work is deeply rooted in the philosophical and scientific traditions of Aristotle, Hippocrates, and Galen, yet it also incorporates a substantial amount of Islamic thought and Avicenna’s own observations. This blend of sources and Avicenna's critical approach to existing medical knowledge exemplify the synthesis of diverse intellectual traditions that characterized the Islamic Golden Age. The significance of "The Canon of Medicine" in the realm of medical publishing cannot be overstated. Its translation into Latin in the 12th century facilitated its dissemination across Europe, where it became a foundational text in many medieval universities. This widespread adoption attests to its unparalleled influence on the development of medicine in both the Islamic world and the West, shaping medical education and practice for centuries. Avicenna's holistic approach to health, which underscored the significance of diet, climate, and lifestyle, was revolutionary. This perspective not only broadened the scope of medical practice but also highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental and personal well-being, principles that resonate with contemporary holistic and preventive medicine paradigms. While modern medical science has evolved beyond the specifics of Avicenna's Canon, the work's historical and philosophical significance endures. It stands as a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and the synthesis of ideas across different cultures and epochs. "The Canon of Medicine" not only illuminated the path for future generations of medical practitioners but also established a benchmark for the compilation and organization of scientific knowledge, influencing the standards of medical publishing.