Malian Medical Manuscripts
Timbuktu’s medical manuscripts represent one of the greatest scholarly achievements in the Islamic world
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Medicine is arguably one of the main areas in which the Islamic world has produced the greatest scholars, such as Avicenna, the medieval Persian philosopher and physician, considered the father of modern medicine.
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The Timbuktu manuscripts include texts on this Islamic medical tradition in general, but also aspects of local medicine, based on West African knowledge.
MS 36186 P042 MHSAVAMA-DCI
Treatise on Human Interests Relating to Religion'
In his manuscript, Abdullahi Dan Fodio states: “It is the responsibility of the treating physician to know the patient’s state of health, including their moods, environment and geographic surroundings, eating habits, and medical history.
MS 36186 P043 MHSAVAMA-DCI
If they do not know this, the doctor must ask the patient or their companion."
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The following manuscript teaches us about the medical methods of assessing temperature known and practiced since the 18th century in Timbuktu. These consist of a system of urine collection the day prior to a consultation planned for the following day, in order to specify the type of disease.
MS 05839 P012-013 MHSAVAMA-DCI
The wonders of general medicine
“It is important to remember that recognition of the signs of a high temperature or a drop in temperature, as well as the existence of an abscess of the anus or a fever manifested by the patient,
occurs through the collection of the urine of the patient, who should follow a limited diet the evening before. There is no need to stain the collected urine with saffron, henna, etc.
The urine should be collected in the morning in a clean container to which a drop of fat should be added. If the contents increase in volume when covered, the patient is suffering from a disease that involves a high temperature.
If the contents remain intact and do not change in volume, the patient has an illness that causes the temperature to drop. God the exalted is omniscient."
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The same urine and blood collection practices are still used in modern medicine the day before medical testing.
