Canon medicinae
Dublin Core
Title
Canon medicinae
Subject
Incunabula
Excerpts
Avicenna, 980-1037
Description
<p>The <em>Canon medicinae</em>, a compendium of medical knowledge and a guide to clinical teaching, was derived from Galenic and Hippocratic writings and infused by Avicenna with Arabic medical lore. The <em>Canon</em> includes detailed disquisitions on pathology, physiology, hygiene, therapeutics, and materia medica. The first three books were printed in Latin in 1472 and a complete edition appeared the following year. An encyclopedic and systematic treatise on medicine, it was the fundamental text in medieval and early Renaissance medical education. The text itself was read in the medical schools at Montpellier and Louvain as late as 1650, and Arnold C. Klebs described it as <em>"one of the most significant intellectual phenomena of all times."</em> Avicenna's <em>Canon</em>was translated into Hebrew in 1279.</p>
<p>This edition of Avicenna’s <em>Canon</em> is its first appearance in print as well as the first printing of a medical treatise in Hebrew—and the only one produced during the fifteenth century. Hebrew printing in the 15th century was restricted to Italy and the Iberian peninsula; after the expulsion from Spain in 1492, printers in Italy and Portugal produced a very small number of works. The Gunzenhauser family founded the first Hebrew press in Naples in 1486; this edition of the <em>Canon</em>was one of the last Hebrew books printed in that city.</p>
<p>This edition of Avicenna’s <em>Canon</em> is its first appearance in print as well as the first printing of a medical treatise in Hebrew—and the only one produced during the fifteenth century. Hebrew printing in the 15th century was restricted to Italy and the Iberian peninsula; after the expulsion from Spain in 1492, printers in Italy and Portugal produced a very small number of works. The Gunzenhauser family founded the first Hebrew press in Naples in 1486; this edition of the <em>Canon</em>was one of the last Hebrew books printed in that city.</p>
Abstract
Two page excerpt from a copy of Avicenna's Canon medicinae (Naples, 9 November 1491) written in Hebrew
Creator
Avicenna, 980-1037
Publisher
Azriel ben Joseph de Gunzenhausen
Date Created
1491 November 09
Rights
The Boston Medical Library does not hold copyright on all materials in this collection. For use information, consult Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu
Access Rights
Access to the original work depicted requires advance notice. Contact Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu for additional information
Is Part Of
Boston Medical Library Rare Books Collection (Ballard 160)
Format
text
Extent
excerpt (2 pages)
Language
Hebrew
Type
text
Identifier
DigID0002514
Provenance
Purchased for the Solomon M. Hyams Collection of the Boston Medical Library, 1931
Files
Collection
Citation
Avicenna, 980-1037, “Canon medicinae,” OnView, accessed March 28, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/12550.