Books

A 179 leaf (of 480) leaf fragment of the five books of Avicenna's Canon of Medicine printed in Hebrew in 1491 (possibly into 1492). The copy is made up from leaves from at least two different copies, one trimmed closer than the other. Modest damp stains at the top edges, scattered minor worming, foxing, early marginalia and manicules throughout, some trimmed slightly. More extensive damp stains and worm trails along with some paper repairs to worm trails on some of the smaller leaves including some loss of text. All of the missing leaves provided in facsimile. 142 of the leaves are in succession with a few small groupings elsewhere. Bound up in a modern full blind tooled leather with marbled endpapers with a chemise and slipcase. The first and only Hebrew edition of Avicenna's monumentally influential medical treatise which was a central text from its creation at the beginning of the 11th century all the way through the Renaissance and beyond. John Urquhart M.D., a doctor and professor of biopharmaceutical sciences at UCSF once famously said that if marooned on a desert island and forced to pick between Avicenna's Canon (ca. 1012) and Osler's The Principles and Practice of Medicine (1892) he would pick The Canon because it offers an integrated approach to surgery and medicine. It was its comprehensive and integrated approach that made it a central medical reference for over 600 years. The five books cover anatomy and basic principles, a materia medica, diseases of one part of the body, diseases that affect multiple parts of the body, and a formulary of compounds. Printed during the flourishing of Hebrew printing in Naples where Arabic speaking Jews from Spain came across to Naples and set up presses translating important works from Arabic to Hebrew for the non-Arabic speaking Italian Jews. Hebrew printing had begun in Rome around 1474 and spread to other Italian cities over the next 10 years until the death of the more lenient Sixtus IV. However, in 1485, printing in Hebrew became impossible in most of Italy but continued in Naples. Joseph Gunzenhauser had immigrated to Naples in 1486 and set up his press there. He died in 1490 and the press was continued by his son Azriel - together they printed 13 of the approximately 175 known Hebrew incunabula. ISTC ia01417300 Size: Folio. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Inventory No: 048645.

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.