Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 80

AVENZOAR (d. 1162) Abhomeron Abynzohar. Colliget Averroys. Impressum per Gregorium de Gregorius 1514 108 ll. 31.6 cm.

Avenzoar was born into a family of physicians from whom he inherited great wealth, which allowed him the freedom to study widely and pursue his own interests. As a result, he developed into the greatest physician of the Cordovan or Western Caliphate and he was staunchly opposed to astrology and mysticism in medicine. He stood firmly against quackery of every kind in medical practice and favored a rational approach to medicine with strong emphasis on practical experience. The Abhomeron or, Theisir ("The alleviation of disease") is his chief medical work. In this treatise on clinical medicine Avenzoar makes every effort to introduce the results of his independent observations and clinical experiences and emphasizes that experience is the best guide for physicians. He describes methods of preparing medicines and diets and gives sound clinical descriptions of the itch mite of scabies, paralysis of the pharynx, serous pericarditis, and mediastinal abscess (of which he suffered himself). He also discusses eye diseases and operations for cataract, bronchotomy, renal calculus, and tracheotomy. It is evident from the nature of his descriptions that he practiced surgery to a limited degree. Included with this work is his Antidotarium containing a variety of remedies for various diseases; neither of these works have survived in Arabic. The present work is a translation into Latin by Magister Patavinus (fl. 13th century) from a Hebrew manuscript prepared by Jacob Bonacosa (fl. 13th century) in the late thirteenth century. Averroës (1126-1198) was a contemporary of Avenzoar and it is believed that he may have learned the fundamentals of medical sciences from Avenzoar or members of his family. He studied philosophy, law, and medicine with special emphasis on the law, probably because his father and grandfather were distinguished jurists. His affinity for philosophy led him to become one of the leading commentators and authorities on Aristotle and the influence of Aristotle is very evident in Averroës' medical writings. Ultimately, he developed his own philosophical doctrine which became known as Averroism, influencing western thinkers into the seventeenth century. The present work is his major medical treatise and was his attempt to establish a system of medicine on Aristotle's philosophy. Called the Colliget in the Latin west, it is a resume of the medical sciences. It contains sections on anatomy, various diseases, the urine, fevers, diet, drugs, poison, baths, exercise, and massage. The tone of the book indicates that Averroës had read widely but had little practical experience. It is likely that the Colliget was also translated by Patavinus because it is included in all of the printed editions with Avenzoar's Theisir. In this edition, both works have been edited by Hieronymus Surianus (d. 1522).

Cited references: Durling 368; Garrison-Morton 47 (Avenzoar. 1490 ed.); Garrison-Morton 48 (Averroës. 1482 ed.); Osler 495 (1497 ed.); Waller 563; Wellcome 563 (1490 ed.)

Gift of John Martin, M.D.