Practical Materia Medica of the Medieval Eastern Mediterranean According to the Cairo Genizah (Sir Henry Wellcome Asian Series, 7)

The authors provide a new insight to the practice of medical care in the medieval world. They examine the medicinal prescriptions and references to materia medica of the Cairo Genizah by combining the approaches of ethnobotany and history of medicine. This volume uniquely looks into the practice of medical care in the medieval world, particularly amongst the Jewish communities of Egypt. It examines the medicinal prescriptions, lists of materia medica and letters between physicians, pharmacists and patients found in the Cairo Genizah. Most histories of medieval medicine of the eastern Mediterranean are based upon theoretical Arabic writings. Here the authors examine, analyze and contextualize these medieval prescriptions also from the perspective of ethnobotanists, and as a result, provide an innovative insight into the everyday practice of medieval medicine and the historical use of the medicinal substances in the Medieval Mediterranean world. The result is a much needed contribution to medical-historical scholarship interested in the everyday practice of medicine of the common people of the medieval period. This Volume Looks Into The Practice Of Medical Care In The Medieval World, Particularly Amongst The Jewish Communities Of Egypt. It Examines The Medicinal Perscriptions, Lists Of Materia Medica And Letters Between Physicians, Pharmacists And Patients Found In The Cairo Genizah. Introduction -- Practical Materia Medica And Its Sources -- The Identification Of Materia Medica In The Genizah And Method Of Presenting The Data -- Prescriptions, Lists, Letters And Their Analysis -- Inventory Of Practical Materia Medica Of The Genizah People, Its Analysis, And Comparisons With The Theoretical Inventory -- Materia Medica: Detailed Items -- Materia Medica: Concise Items -- Epilogue. By Efraim Lev And Zohar Amar. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [581]-598) And Indexes.