 The oldest existing manuscript from Rhazes is this page ofAl-Hawi, dated 1094CE, kept at theNational Library of Medicine inBethesda, Maryland. | |
| Author | Rhazes |
|---|---|
Publication date | 10th century |
Kitab al-Hawi orAl-Hawi orKitāb al-Ḥāwī fī al-ṭibb translated asThe Comprehensive Book on Medicine is an extensive medical encyclopedia authored by the Persian polymathAbu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (865–925), commonly known in the West asRhazes in the 10th century. This monumental work is a compendium of Greek, Syrian, and early Arabic medical knowledge, as well as some Indian medical practices.[1]
It was first translated into Latin in 1279 under the titleContinens byFaraj ben Salim, a physician of Sicilian-Jewish origin employed byCharles of Anjou.[2]
The oldest partial remaining copy of this work belongs to theNational Library of Medicine inBethesda, Maryland dated 1094 CE.[3]
TheKitab al-Hawi was composed around the year 900 and spans 22 volumes. It was later published by theDairat'l-Macarif-il-Osmania (Osmania Oriental Publications Bureau) in Hyderabad-Deccan.[4]
The book covers a wide range of medical topics, includingtheoretical andpractical medicine. Al-Razi's approach was notably comprehensive, as he not only included medical knowledge from Greek and Syrian sources but also incorporated insights from Indian medical traditions.[1]
Al-Razi frequently recommended various treatments, including those that might be considered magical remedies by today's standards. For instance, he addressed conditions such asquartan fever and recommended specific practices for their treatment.[5]
TheKitab al-Hawi had a profound influence on the development of medical knowledge in themedieval Islamic world and subsequently inEurope. It was translated into Latin in the 12th century and became one of the main sources of medical knowledge inmedieval Europe.[6]
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