Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History

Abstract

Background and Aim: "Kitab Al-Somum va Dafe' Madarriha" is a comprehensive and scientifically distinguished treatise concerning the knowledge of animal, plant and mineral poisons, their effects and side effects, effective treatment methods and drugs and ways to guard against the impacts and dangers of poisons. It is attributed to Jabir Ibn Hayyan. Although this treatise is not mentioned in Ibn al-Nadim's "Al-Fihrist" or Hajji Khalifa's "Kashf al-Zunun", Carl Brockelmann in the seventeenth chapter of the fourth volume of "History of Arabic Literature" and Fuat Sezgin in the fourth volume of "History of Arabic Writings" have mentioned it, considering it Jabir's only independent treatise on medicine. However, despite the content value of this work, which led to its translation and commentary into German by Alfred Siggel in 1958, doubts have been raised regarding its attribution to Jabir. This research aims to examine parts of the treatise's content by comparing them with Jabir's opinions and theories in his other works from various aspects, to take a step towards determining the identity of its author.

Methods: In this library research, parts of a version of "Kitab Al-Somum" attributed to Jabir ibn Hayyan were compared with similar and related content in his other treatises, essays and books. To expand, confirm or refute some of the claims made, articles on this subject were utilized.

Ethical Considerations: In the present research, ethical aspects of library studies, including textual authenticity, honesty and integrity, have been observed.

Results: The author of "Kitab Al-Somum" presents coherent principles regarding the function of bodily components and humors, alongside explaining the interaction between natures (temperaments). He provides a relatively precise classification of poisons based on various variables and subsequently introduces the effects of poisons as well as the curative drugs and antidotes for each. In this treatise, he mentions other works belonging to Jabir or cites some of them, which makes comparing the content of "Kitab Al-Somum" with Jabir's works somewhat possible.

Conclusion: Some of the citations, references or quotations by the author of this treatise are consistent with the concepts, content and context of Jabir's other works; some bear partial resemblance and others contradict them. Therefore, within the scope of this research, it might not be possible to reach a definitive verdict on the precise identity of the author. However, expanding this research, especially through examining the treatise's content in relation to other relevant medical works from the Islamic period, could help bring us closer to the intended goal.