Al-Tasrif

The "Kitab al-Tasrif" (Arabic,كتاب التفسير) ("The Method of Medicine") was an influential Arabic medical encyclopedia on medicine and surgery, written near the year 1000 CE by Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis), the "father of modern surgery". The 30-volume work includes anatomical descriptions, classifications of diseases, information on nutrition and surgery, and sections on medicine, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, pharmacology, nutrition, and especially surgery. [Dr. Monzur Ahmed, [http://www.ummah.net/history/scholars/el_zahrawi El Zahrawi (Albucasis) - father of surgery] , "Muslim Technologist", August 1990.]

In the Western world, the book was known by the Latin title "Concessio ei data qui componere haud valet". For at least six centuries, it remained an important medical practice guide for doctors and surgeons in both the Islamic world and medieval Europe.

Overview

Content

The "Kitab al-Tasrif" covered a broad range of medical topics, including dentistry and childbirth, which contained data that had accumulated during a career that spanned almost 50 years of training, teaching and practice. In it he also wrote of the importance of a positive doctor-patient relationship and wrote affectionately of his students, whom he referred to as "my children". He also emphasised the importance of treating patients irrespective of their social status. He encouraged the close observation of individual cases in order to make the most accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment.

Not always properly credited, Abu Al-Qasim's "al-Tasrif" described both what would later became known as "Kocher's method" for treating a dislocated shoulder and "Walcher position" in obstetrics. "Al-Tasrif" described how to ligature blood vessels before Ambroise Paré, and was the first recorded book to document several dental devices and explain the hereditary nature of haemophilia.

Influence

"Al-Tasrif" was later translated into Latin by Gerard of Cremona in the 12th century, and illustrated. For perhaps five centuries during the European Middle Ages, it was the primary source for European medical knowledge, and served as a reference for doctors and surgeons.

In the 14th century, French surgeon Guy de Chauliac quoted "al-Tasrif" over 200 times. Pietro Argallata (d. 1453) described Abu al-Qasim as "without doubt the chief of all surgeons". In an earlier work, he is credited to be the first to describe ectopic pregnancy in 963, in those days a fatal affliction. Abu Al-Qasim's influence continued for at least five centuries, extending into the Renaissance, evidenced by "al-Tasrif"'s frequent reference by French surgeon Jaques Delechamps (1513-1588).

Advances in Surgery

Abu al-Qasim was a surgeon and specialized in curing disease by cauterization. He also invented several devices used during surgery, for the purpose of:
* inspection of the interior of the urethra
* applying and removing foreign bodies from the throat
* inspection of the ear

Abu al-Qasim also described the use of forceps in vaginal deliveries. [Assisted delivery has walked a long and winding road, OBG Management, Vol. 19, No. 6, June 2007, p. 84. ]

Dental surgery

In dentistry and dental restoration, the earliest medical text to deal with dental surgery in detail was the "Al-Tasrif" by Abulcasis. He gave detailed methods for the successful replantation of dislodged teeth. [Henry W. Noble, PhD (2002), [http://www.rcpsg.ac.uk/hdrg/2002oct4.htm Tooth transplantation: a controversial story] , History of Dentistry Research Group, Scottish Society for the History of Medicine.]

Dissection

Abu al-Qasim was influential in the revival of dissection in the study of anatomy and surgery. He emphasizes the importance of dissection in the surgical chapter of the "Al-Tasrif": [citation|first=Emilie|last=Savage-Smith|title=Attitudes Toward Dissection in Medieval Islam|journal=Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences|year=1995|volume=50|issue=1|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=67–110 [93] |doi=10.1093/jhmas/50.1.67]

Lithotomy and Urology

In urology and lithotomy, Abulcasis performed the first successful extraction of bladder and kidney stones from the urinary bladder using a new instrument he invented—a lithotomy scalpel with two sharp cutting edges—and a new technique he invented—perineal [http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cystolithotomy cystolithotomy] —which allowed him to crush a large stone inside the bladder, "enabling its piecemeal removal." This innovation was important to the development of bladder stone surgery as it significantly decreased the death rates previously caused by earlier attempts at this operation by the ancients.Abdul Nasser Kaadan PhD, "Albucasis and Extraction of Bladder Stone", "Jounal of the International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine", 2004 (3): 28-33.]

Neurosurgery

Abulcasis developed material and technical designs which are still used in neurosurgery.Martin-Araguz, A.; Bustamante-Martinez, C.; Fernandez-Armayor, Ajo V.; Moreno-Martinez, J. M. (2002). "Neuroscience in al-Andalus and its influence on medieval scholastic medicine", "Revista de neurología" 34 (9), p. 877-892.]

Plastic surgery

Abulcasis made the first advances in plastic surgery since the time of Sushruta in ancient India. Abulcasis developed the methods of incision, the use of silk thread
suture to achieve good cosmesis, and invented the surgical procedure of reduction mammoplasty for the management of gynecomastia. [citation|last=Ahmad|first=Z. (St Thomas' Hospital)|title=Al-Zahrawi - The Father of Surgery|journal=ANZ Journal of Surgery|year=2007|volume=77|issue=Suppl. 1|page=A83|doi=10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04130_8.x|pages=A83]

urgical instruments

In his "Al-Tasrif", al-Zahrawi introduced his famous collection of over 200 surgical instruments. Many of these instruments were never used before by any previous surgeons. Hamidan, for example, listed at least twenty six innovative surgical instruments that Abulcasis introduced.

Adhesive bandage and Plaster

Abu al-Qasim invented the modern plaster and adhesive bandage, which are still used in hospitals throughout the world.Zafarul-Islam Khan, [http://milligazette.com/Archives/15-1-2000/Art5.htm At The Threshhold (sic) Of A New Millennium – II] , "The Milli Gazette".] The use of plasters for fractures became a standard practice for Arab physicians, though this practice was not widely adopted in Europe until the 19th century.

Catgut and Forceps

Abu al-Qasim's use of catgut for internal stitching is still practised in modern surgery. The catgut appears to be the only natural substance capable of dissolving and is acceptable by the body

Abu al-Qasim invented the forceps for extracting a dead fetus, as illustrated in the "Al-Tasrif". [Ingrid Hehmeyer and Aliya Khan (2007). "Islam's forgotten contributions to medical science", "Canadian Medical Association Journal" 176 (10).]

Cautery and Ligature

A special medical instrument called a cauter, used for the cauterization of arteries, was first described by Abu al-Qasim in his "Kitab al-Tasrif". [Mohamed Kamel Hussein (1978), "The Concise History of Medicine and Pharmacy" (cf. Mostafa Shehata, "The Father Of Islamic Medicine: An International Questionnaire", "Journal of the International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine", 2002 (2): 58-59 [58] )]

In the "Al-Tasrif", Abu al-Qasim also introduced the use of ligature for the blood control of arteries in lieu of cauterization. [Rabie E. Abdel-Halim, Ali S. Altwaijiri, Salah R. Elfaqih, Ahmad H. Mitwall (2003), "Extraction of urinary bladder described" by Abul-Qasim Khalaf Alzahrawi (Albucasis) (325-404 H, 930-1013 AD)", "Saudi Medical Journal" 24 (12): 1283-1291 [1289] .]

Cotton dressing

Al Zahrawi was the first surgeon to make use of cotton (which itself is derived from the Arabic word "qutn") as a medical dressing for controlling hemorrhage.

Lithotomy scalpel and Surgical needle

Abulcasis invented a lithotomy scalpel with two sharp cutting edges in order to perform the first successful extraction of bladder and kidney stones from the urinary bladder.

The surgical needle was invented and described by Abu al-Qasim in his "Al-Tasrif".A. I. Makki. "Needles & Pins", "AlShindagah" 68, January-February 2006.]

Other instruments

Other surgical instruments invented by Abu al-Qasim and first described in his "Al-Tasrif" include the scalpel, curette, retractor, surgical spoon, sound, surgical hook, surgical rod, and specula. [Khaled al-Hadidi (1978), "The Role of Muslem Scholars in Oto-rhino-Laryngology", "The Egyptian Journal of O.R.L." 4 (1), p. 1-15. (cf. [http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=674 Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Practice in Muslim Heritage] , Foundation for Science Technology and Civilization.)]

Chemistry and Cosmetology

Al-Zahrawi was also a chemist and dedicated a chapter of the 19th volume of his "Kitab al-Tasrif" to cosmetology, The medicated cosmetics he invented include under-arm deodorants, hair removal sticks, hand lotions, hair dyes for changing human hair color to blond or black hair, hair care for correcting kinky or curly hair, and early suntan lotions, describing their ingredients and benefits in depth. As a remedy for bad breath resulting from eating garlic or onions, he suggested cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and chewing on coriander leaves.cite web|title=Muslim Contribution to Cosmetics|url=http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=364|publisher=FSTC Limited|date=2003-05-20|accessdate=2008-01-29]

Other cosmetics he invented include solid lipsticks which were perfumed stocks rolled and pressed in special moulds, and mineral oils used for medication purposes as well as aesthetic and beautification purposes. He also described the care and beautification of hair, skin, teeth and other parts of the body, which were all recommended in Islamic hadiths.

Cosmetic dentistry

In cosmetic dentistry, he described methods for strengthening the gums as well as the method of tooth bleaching using tooth whiteners.

Flowers

The "al-Tasrif" introduced the modern cultural tradition of taking flowers whenever visiting the sick in hospital (Bimaristan).

Perfumery

He made several advances in perfumery and invented perfumed stocks, rolled and pressed in special moulds, similar to modern roll-on deodorants. [ [http://english.webislam.com/pdf/pdf.asp?idt=1469 How Islam invented a bright new world] , "The Herald", 25/10/2007.]

He also recommended that after laundry, clothing should be in a room full of incense or perfume, so that the clothes will give a pleasant fragrance.

Other advances

Medication

Al-Zahrawi developed a variety of medications, which he described in his chapter on cosmetics. For epilepsy and seizures, he invented medications called "Ghawali" and "Lafayfe". For the relief and treatment of common colds, he invented "Muthallaathat", which was prepared from camphor, musk and honey, similar to modern Vicks Vapour Rub. He also invented nasal sprays and hand cream, and developed effective mouth washes.

Hematology

In hematology, al-Zahrawi wrote the first description on haemophilia in his "al-Tasrif", in which he wrote of an Andalusian family whose males died of bleeding after minor injuries.Patricia Skinner (2001), [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0007/ai_2603000716 Unani-tibbi] , "Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"]

References

External links

* [http://www.islamset.com/isc/zahrawi/awadain.html#awaid3 Al-Tasrif] - islamset.com