Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History

Background and Aim: Pseudocyesis with the term "futile hope", "false pregnancy" or "Raja" in Iranian medicine is a rare illness in which an individual has an illusion of pregnancy, while practically not pregnant. The purpose of this study is to analyze the Avicenna view of Raja's knowledge and treatment.

Materials and Methods: In this review and library, his views and opinions were examined using the Al-Qanoun Fi-al-Tiba book on the disease, from diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives. In order to analyze and compare available information with other researchers, false pregnancy, Pseudocyesis, Avicenna, Persian medicine, ancient history, in the SID databases, PubMed, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, UpToDate, Google scholar Search and the scientific documents were summed up.

Findings: Specific features of this writing include definition of pseudocyesis and presentation of recognition and expression of reasons for producing it. Presenting therapeutic prescriptions include soluble and laxative drugs, such as hypotension, inflammation, abdominal distension, abortion and abortion drugs. Most prescription drugs are hot and dry in nature, which are useful for modulating the mood and eliminating abnormalities in the uterus.

Conclusion: Avicenna in contrast with modern physicians has expressed difference between mole pregnancy and pseudocyesis. Innovation in examination, identification and utilization of targeted treatments are unique features of Avicenna for the treatment of this disorder and more in-depth research studies are requested in this direction.

Please cite this article as: Mord Bayati B, Changizi Ashtiyani S, Rajabnejad MR, Najdi N, Jafarypour H. A Quick Review of Avicenna View on Raja's Treatment (Pseudocyesis). Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 7-17.

Background and Aim: This study reviewed the performance of organizations responsible for public healthcare in Fars Province during the Pahlavi I period. According to the law, Sehieh (health service) and Baladieh (municipality) were the two organizations responsible for public healthcare. To ensure public health, cooperation between them was essential. The two organizations gradually developed their evolutionary process in Fars. Naturally, they have had a lot of problems.

Materials and Methods: In this article, Based on the documentation and archival sources reviewed their performances. Many of the findings from this study are based on first-order documents and findings. Sehieh, as the main organization responsible for healthcare, is the primary focus of this study. Baldieh and Sahiyah were later renamed to the municipality (shahrdary) and health care (behdari). Health centers and municipalities functioned similarly in some cases. Any conflict in responsibilities of the two entities could substantially undermine the public health in the society. In this article, the relationships between these two local organizations and the consequences of their actions on the health of the people have been given special attention.

Ethical Considerations: Integrity and trustworthiness were observed in analyzing and Reporting and publishing the results.

Findings: This research shows: 1- The spread of diseases and their mortality rate decreased; 2- Complete success in eradication and control of contagious diseases was not achieved due to lack of financial sources; 3- Most areas in Fars did not benefit from the developments, and their healthcare conditions did not improve significantly. However, the achievements achieved in the Fars health area have also been considered by researchers in this paper.

Conclusion: During the course of Pahlavi I period, there has been a lot of changes in the administrative structure of Local Health Centers and municipalities, which has led to improvements in the community's health space. Despite the improvement in health conditions, the health of Fars in the first Pahlavi era did not radically change.

Please cite this article as: Khodami M, Nouraei M, Forughi Abari A. Performance Analysis Review of the Organizations Responsible for Healthcare in Fars Province during the Pahlavi I period (1925-1941). Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 19-31.

Background and Aim: The people of Oshnavieh city, located in West-Azarbaijan in Iran, speak the Kurdish language. Due to the traditionality of the city's texture, traditional and ancient beliefs persist among the people, and one of these is traditional medicine (folk and oral medicine). Considering the fact that the oral history of hygiene in pregnant women is prominent and contemplative in this city, the purpose of this study was to investigate the traditional preventive methods in pregnant women and newborn babies in this city. For this purpose, knowledgeable women were selected and then the interview was conducted.

Materials and Methods: To better understand issues and differentiate them from each other, research questions were categorized into three parts, viz: before birth, birth and after birth. In this article, the following topics are discussed: pregnancy diagnosis, gender verification, diagnosis and treatment of fetus abnormal placement in the abdominal, and care and nutrition during pregnancy as well as diseases such as earache, abdominal pain, measles and jaundice.

Findings: In this study, it was determined that the method of diagnosis of pregnancy and the ways of diagnosis of gender in folk medicine in Oshnavieh during the application is mixed with superstition as well as misconceptions, but in other cases, especially nutrition during pregnancy and neonatal diseases in this modern era, the methods of diagnosis are very practical.

Conclusion: According to the results, it was found that sanitation in pregnant women in the city of Oshnavieh was effective in prevention and treatment in various stages of pre-birth, during birth and after birth. Traditional medicine in Oshnavieh also has similarities to traditional medicine in other regions of Iran, as well as other Kurdish regions. These differences differentiate traditional medicine in this region. This difference is largely due to the lack of homogeneity of the place of residence, as well as the kind of view of some of the diseases and perhaps more importantly, access to materials for the treatment of diseases. More research is needed on the scientific validity and effectiveness of these methods and to prove the scientific nature and effectiveness of these methods.

Please cite this article as: Rahbar S, Nikbakht R, Rajab Nejad MR. A Comparative Study of Oral History of Hygiene in Pregnant Women in Ohnavieh and Marivan. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 33-46.

Background and Aim: Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) belonging to Cucurbitaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world and it is mostly produced in China, India, Ukraine, Egypt and United States of America. It is one of the plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. It has also been used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional and modern medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional and therapeutic properties of this plant in the holy Quran, narrations and hadiths of the prophet Muhammad and Imams, traditional medicine as well as modern medicine according to latest scientific research studies.

Materials and Methods: For this review study, the Holy Quran and its interpretations, Islamic Hadiths and narrations, relevant references about traditional Iranian medicine and medicinal plants were studied. Also, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar and ISI databases (2000 to 2016) were used with keywords such as Quran, Hadith, medicine, disease, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbitaceae, pumpkin and medicinal.

Findings: In the addition to the recommendation of Quran and hadiths about consumption of Pumpkin, in traditional Iranian medicine, it was used for the removal of helminthes, treatment of jaundice, wounds, burns, fever, abdominal cramps, melancholia, delirium, severe diarrhea, insomnia, headache and urinary tract obstruction. In modern medicine, pumpkin has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant; anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory properties and it can modulate immune system. It is also used for freshness, vitality, increase of intelligence, reduction of depression and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver, diabetes and cancer.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the recommendations contained in the Quran verses, Hadiths of Prophet and Imams and traditional Iranian medicine about the consumption of plants like pumpkin are not only conscious but also based on scientific principles and logic. These recommendations are intended to improve the health and longevity of human. So, more attention should be paid to these resources, especially regarding their nutritional instructions.

Please cite this article as: Moosavy MH, Shavisi N, Khatibi SA. Therapeutic effects of Pumpkin in Islamic Texts, Islamic Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 77-92.

Background and Aim: Due to the high prevalence of sciatic pain, disability and absence from the workplace, heavy cost of treatment, side effects of medical treatments and surgery in classical medicine, we decided to study a new method of treatment in Iranian medicine sources. Effective, low-cost and low complication medical education. This study is based on the viewpoint of Iranian medicine about physiopathology, etiology, semiology and treatment of diseases, which is a bodily humors medicine.

Materials and Methods: This qualitative study of concept development employed the hybrid model in 3 phases: 1- Theoretical phase; 2- Fieldwork phase; 3- Incorporation.

Findings: Sciatica is a common and debilitating pain that is not definitive, effective and uncomplicated in classical medicine. However, with regard to physiopathology and etiology, from the perspective of Iranian medicine, bodily humors and dystemperaments, as well as joint weakness, are caused by decrease of substance in the disease state. Several treatments have been proposed, according to the causes.

Conclusion: Based on the teachings of Iranian medicine and according to the results of new research, treatment of sciatica is different based on the causative agent of the disease, and in its various therapeutic regimens, based on the elimination of the cause of the disease, the dominant bodily humors, modulation of temperament and strengthening of the member. In addition, phlebotomy is one of the treatment methods that is emphasized in most cases for the treatment, and sometimes even to prevent it.

Please cite this article as: Amini MH, Esmaeili SS, Mehdi Barzi D, Gholami Fesharaki M. Study of Sciatic Pain and Effect of Fasd (bloodletting) on its Treatment from the Viewpoint of Persian Medicine. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 93-106.

Background and Aim: Stroke is the chief cause of death following cancer and myocardial infarction across the globe. The purpose of the present study is to describe and explain stroke in the context of Persian Medicine.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, reliable sources of traditional medicine including Almae by Abdolah Ibn Mohammad al-Azodi, Bahr al-Javaher by Mohammad Ibn Yousof Heravi, Ferdows al-Hekmat by Ali Ibn Rebn Tabari, the Complete Art of Medicine (Kitab Kamil as-Sina’aat-Tibbiyya) by Ali Ibn Abbas Majousi Ahvazi, Hedayat al-Mota’aalemin by Ali Ibn Ahmad Arzani, the Canon of Medicine by Avicenna, Zakhire Kharazmshahi by Syyed Ismaeel Jorjani, Tebe Akbari by Ali Akbar Arzani, Mo’aalejat-e Aghili and Kholasat al-Hekmat by Aghili Khorasani and Exir-e Aezam by Mohammad Aezam Kham Cheshti, along with some modern resources, namely Harrison’s principles of internal medicine, Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology, Aminoff’s Clinical Neurology and scientific articles on the topics of stroke, torpidness, hemiplegy, facial palsy and epilepsy were investigated. Moreover, databases such as SID, Google scholar, PubMed and Scopus were used to explore keywords such as stroke, Iranian medicine, traditional medicine, thrombosis and herbal medicine during 1900 and 2018. The collected data was qualitatively analyzed by using inductive content analysis.

Findings: From the perspective of Persian Medicine, stroke occurs following a blockage of sensory and motor pathways and channels in the brain. Contraction as well as accumulation induce stroke.

Conclusions: The cause of stroke involves a complete blockage of sensual soul in Persian Medicine while it is caused by hypo perfusion in conventional medicine. A blockage is the cause of stroke from the view of Persian Medicine, which does not mean physical obstruction, but may imply slow or static movement.

Please cite this article as: Delshad E, Yousefi M, Javan R. Stroke from the Perspective of Persian Medicine. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 107-116.

Background and Aim: The Foucault project can be called the genealogy of the modern subject and The History of Madness is one of his most important works in this field. Foucault emphasized on "observation" and its techniques in the formation of the subject as an object of knowledge. I distinguish between two types of observation in this book, which I call "reflective" and "penetrative" observation. In this article I try first to explain the reflective observation and its properties. Secondly, I show what social conditions in the 18th and 19th centuries led to reject this way of looking and gradually penetrative observation replaced reflective observation. Third, we explain the techniques of penetrative observation and show how this observation led to the emergence of psychology and psychiatry in the nineteenth century.

Materials and Methods: This research is based on a library study method based on the original sources of medical history especially The History of Madness.

Findings: Reflective observation did not, basically, involve observer; it involved only his monstrous surface, his visible animality; and it included at least one form of reciprocity, since the sane man could read in the madman, as in a mirror, the imminent movement of his downfall. Such a classical regime of truth did not construct madness as an object of enquiry and thus as subject to knowledge; it was simply a condition. By contrast, penetrative observation, arising with the new regime of the asylum was deeper and less reciprocal.

Conclusion: In fact, penetrative observation is the object-maker, and because of this, it makes scientific knowledge: psychology and psychiatry. Thus, by establishing the asylum in the nineteenth century, the human being as a subject could become the object of scientific knowledge that was called psychology.

Background and Aim: Despite medical advances, diagnosis and treatment of dysmenorrhea is one of the health care problems. The protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of dysmenorrhea has not yet been presented in a combination of Persian Medicine and contemporary medicine. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine these protocols.

Materials and Methods: Three methods including narrative review, qualitative method and scientific consensus were used to write these two protocols. In this regard, 19 ITM references, 2 gynecology references and 4 databases were searched.

Findings: The findings were presented in three parts including the review on the explanation of dysmenorrhea from the perspective of ITM and contemporary medicine, the diagnosis protocol for dysmenorrhea and the stepwise treatment protocol for primary dysmenorrhea. The diagnosis protocol for dysmenorrhea from both ITM and contemporary medicine perspectives, could identify the unknown causes of primary dysmenorrhea. On the other hand, treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in contemporary medicine has only palliative effects and are associated with lack of response to treatment, while ITM School has explained several, varied, and step-by-step methods for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, which have therapeutic effects in addition to palliative effects.

Conclusion: It is recommended that ITM perspective be considered along with the view of contemporary medicine in the study of the causes and treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Please cite this article as: Shirooye P, Nabi Meybodi R, Tansaz M, Behmanesh E, Mokaberinejad R. A New Approach to the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dysmenorrhea Protocols, a Combination of Persian Medicine and Contemporary Medicine. Med Hist J 2018; 9(33): 63-75.