Methodus medendi : a sketch of the development of therapeutics / by Sir William Henry Allchin.

  • Allchin, William Henry, Sir, 1846-1911.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Methodus medendi : a sketch of the development of therapeutics / by Sir William Henry Allchin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    referred to as having been translated four hundred years later into Aniilo-Saxon. Among the Arabians, by whom in great measure the art of medicine was upheld during the centuries succeeding to the fall of Rome, “ schools of medicine, often connected with hospitals and schools of pharmacy, arose in all the chief seats of Moslem power.” Among the numerous writers of this school in particular may be mentioned Avicenna, and I\Iesua the younger of Damascus, who both lived in the eleventh century, and the latter’s work, “ Dc 8ini])licibus,” was for centuries a standard authority on what would now be called materia mediea, was printed in twenty-six editions in the XVth century and later, and was used in the formation of the first London PharmacopcBia issued by the College of Physicians in the reign of James I.” After referring in general terms to the veiy slight additions to knowledge made by the Arabian physicians in the science of practice of medicines, their writings being almost entirely derived from the Gi'eeks wdth little or no real imjn’ovement. Dr. Payne continuesThe only real advance Avas in 2)harmacy and the therapeutical use of drugs. By their relations Avith the further East, the Arabs, became actpiaintcd Avith valuable neAV remedies, Avhich have held their ground until modern times; and their skill in chemistry enabled them to prepare neAV chemical remedies from many combinations of those already in use. They produced the first pharmacopenia, and established the first apothecaries’ shops. Many of the names and many of the forms of medicines noAV used, and, in fact, the general outline of modern pharmacy, except so far as modified by modern chemistry, started Avith the Arabs.” In those ages from the fifth to the tenth century, before the influence of the Arabian’school became established, such medical, and luleed other, learning as there Avas, oAved its existence to the monasteries, Avhich later Avero closely connected Avith the origins of most of the European Universities. One of the earliest of these Avas that of Salerno, whence emanated the celebrated liegimen Sanifatis SaXend, a rhyming Latiii poem of unknoAvn authorship, and said to have been prepared for Robert, son of William the Con(|ueror. It Avas specially designed for the laity as a guide to health and to treatment of disease. At this time, also, the management of the sick, the preparation and administration of simples, together Avith the dressing of wounds, was to a great extent in the hands of the Avomen of the family, Avho may or may not have been directed in their doings by the “ leech,” as the doctor of the pcriotl Avas designated, and Avho formed one of the household of the nobler or Avealthy members of the community.