Notes on translation of the contents of
Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine

• These tables of contents have been translated to English by Khalil Nassar based on the copy held at the Saab Medical Library of the American University of Beirut – Lebanon

• The copy of The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna was acquired by the Medical Library of the American University of Beirut in the 1920’s. This copy was printed in Rome, dated MDXC111 (1593)

• Names and words which have no translation, were stated as they appear in the text and are put in brackets [ ].

• In addition to brackets, parenthesis are added to give explanations and definitions of names and words when available.

• Book I: General matters relative to the Science of Medicine
  • Acknowledgement made to Dr. Farid Haddad, of Paradise Valley AZ. U.S.A, for his help and advice.

   

• Book II: On specific drugs set down alphabetically (Materia Medica).
  • In addition to the listing of items according to the Arabic alphabets, a latin alphabetical listing is prepared whereby each item is listed and is followed by the page on which it appears. This is to facilitate locating items for non – Arabic versed researchers.

   

• Book III: Special Pathology
  • Page 317 is missing.
  • Page 352, the lower part is torn, but facing there is a complete page.

   

• Book V: Compound drugs, Formulary
  • Four items numbered 84, 85, 86 and 87, all appearing on P. 195 are misplaced in the index.

• Bibliography (Arabic and Foreign)

  • Chihabi’s Dictionary of Agricultural and Allied Terminology English – Arabic with an Arabic – English Glossary , Librairie Du Liban, 3rd Printing, 1988, Edited by Ahmad Sh. Al – Khatib. (The bulk of the Arabic material being the realization of Emir Moustapha El Chihabi’s in his Dictionnaire Français – Arabe Des Termes Agricoles)

  • Munir Ba’albaki, Al – Mawrid, A Modern English – Arabic Dictionary, Dar El – Ilm Lil – Malayen, 34th printing, 2000

  • Dr. Rohi Baalbaki, Al – Mawrid, Trillingual Dictionary Arabic – English – French, With Phonetic Transcription, Dar El – Ilm Lilmalayin, First print 2004.

  • Hans Wehr, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic Edited by J. Milton Cowan, Librairie Du Liban, Beirut, Macdonald & Evans Ltd, London Third printing, 1980.

  • Yusuf K. Hitti, M.D., Hitti’s English – Arabic Medical Dictionary Council of Arab Ministers of Health, WHO, Arab Medical Union, ALESCO, Third Edition, MedLevant, AG, Switzerland 1983, ISBN 88 – 7674 -000-7

  • F . Steingass, PH.D, A Comprehensive Persian – English Dictionary by Librairie Du Liban Publishers New Reprint, 1998 BN 01 D110219.

  • George E. Post, Flora Of Syria, Palestine and Sinai: A Handbook of the Flowering plants and ferns, Native and Naturalized, From the Taurus to Ras Muhammad and from the Mediterranean Sea to The Syrian Desert, (2 volumes), Second Edition, Extensively revised and enlarged by John Edward Dinsnore, MA, of the American Colony in Jerusalem American Press, Beirut, 1933.

  • A Treatise on the Canon of Medicine of Avicenna Incorporating a Translation of the First Book by O.Cameron Gruner, M.D. (Lond.), Printed and Engraved in Great Britain at the Burleigh Press, Lewin’s Mead, Bristol - London, Luzac & Co, , 46 Great Russel Street, W.C.1 1930.

  • Dr. Mohammed Al Toonji, A Dictionary of Persian Loan – Words in Arabic, Revised by Dr. Alsibai’, 2nd Edition 1998, Librairie du Liban Publishers

All comments are welcome.