Avicenna's Medicine

Avicenna (980-1037) was one of the greatest physicians and philosophers of his time. This book presents a new translation of his Canon of Medicine known as the Qanun, which is one of the most influential books in the history of medicine with respect to our modern understanding of human health and disease. The diagnostic system of humours is still used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicines in India. This new translation directly from of the Arabic is accompanied with scholarly commentary on the various sections and argues that Avicenna's understanding of humours actually corresponds with the biomedical definition of proteins and lipids as the nutrient building blocks of our blood and body. The four parts introduce Avicenna's definitions, his analysis of diseases and symptoms and his advice on health practices and treatments, with special reference to children and the elderly. At the end, the editors comment that this energy-based system is consistent with an evolutionary framework, which they feel is missing in modern biomedicine. Avicenna even gives advice on what kind of wine to drink, and recommends old wine for old people!