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Abu Mohammed Abdellah Ibn Mohammed Al-Azdi (Arabic:ابو محمد عبدالله بن محمد الأزدي) (ca. ? - 1033 CE), known also asIbn Al-Thahabi orIbn al-Zahabi was anArabphysician, famous for writing the first known alphabetical encyclopedia of medicine.
He was born inSuhar,Oman. He moved then intoBasra, then toPersia where he studied underAl-Biruni andIbn Sina. Later he migrated toJerusalem and finally settled inValencia, inAl-Andalus (Islamic Spain).[1]
He is famous for his bookKitab Al-Ma'a (The Book of Water), amedical encyclopedia that lists the names of diseases, medicines, physiological processes, and treatments. It is the first known alphabetical classification of medical terms. In this encyclopedia, Ibn Al-Thahabi not only lists the names but adds numerous original ideas about the function of the human organs. The book also contains an array of herbal treatments and a course for the treatment psychological symptoms. The main thesis is that cure must start from controlled food and exercise; if it persists then use specific individual medicines; if it still persists then use medical compounds; and if the disease continues, surgery is performed.[2][3]