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Rhazes' (865-925 CE) contribution to surgery in Liber Almansoris
Fuat Ince1, Kamran Mahlooji2, Kadircan H Keskinbora3
1Department of History of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica
|December 19, 2022
Summary
Rhazes, a medieval Persian physician, detailed surgical approaches in his medical textbook, Liber Almansoris. His work integrated surgical techniques within broader medical treatments, reflecting ancient Greek medical perspectives.
Area of Science:
- Medieval medical history
- Surgical techniques evolution
Background:
- Rhazes (865-925 CE) was a pivotal Persian physician in the medieval era.
- His medical textbook, Liber Almansoris, served as a comprehensive guide for students.
- This work significantly contributed to the advancement of medical sciences.
Observation:
- Liber Almansoris includes a dedicated chapter on orthopedics with surgical methods.
- Surgical procedures for trauma and skull fractures are described.
- Other chapters recommend surgical interventions for specific complications.
Findings:
- Rhazes integrated surgical procedures as a treatment modality within his medical texts.
- Surgery was not presented as a standalone discipline but as a physician's tool.
- This approach aligns with the Galenic (Greek) medical tradition.
Implications:
- Rhazes's perspective influenced the understanding of surgery's role in medieval medicine.
- His work highlights a divergence from ancient Persian medical views that treated surgery as a major discipline.
- Understanding these historical perspectives enriches the study of surgical history.
