Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume:13 Issue: 2, May 2024

According to ancient times, Iranians were among the first people to recognize mental abnormalities as diseases. They explained the causes of mental diseases using various scientific methods based on observation and experience and suggested practical ways for treatment. The main treatment methods they proposed included the use of medicine and other physical treatments. In some cases, psychotherapy methods were also used to treat mental patients. This study was conducted using the analytical-documentary method, with authentic traditional medical texts, literary and historical works, and other narrative texts that documented the treatment of mental patients as sources. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the Iranian culture, and particularly Iranian medical culture, has had a rational approach to mental disorders for a long time. Iranian doctors have avoided superstitious beliefs and instead sought scientific and experimental methods for treatment. The findings of this study suggest that, in comparison to approaches of Western medicine to mental disorders in the pre-modern era, which often involved rejecting such patients and not treating mental patients, Iranian doctors focused on the underlying causes of mental disorders. They treated patients using scientific methods while also maintaining a human and compassionate approach.

The historical evolution of women’s participation in the male-dominated field of surgery is an increasingly vital area of study. However, scant attention has been given to the experiences and accomplishments of female vascular surgeons, particularly within the Canadian context.This historical review offers insights into the lives and careers of four pioneering female vascular surgeons in Canada: Dr. R. Paradis, Dr. J. Wong, Dr. P. Gaffiero, and Dr. J. Spelay. Through semi-structured interviews, a biography of each surgeon’s early life, training milestones, professional challenges, and career accomplishments was created. Narrative analysis of all interviews was also completed to identify themes from subjects’ collective memories and perceptions. Prominent themes included: Formative mentorship during medical training, benefiting from de-centralized fellowship selection; Limitations on practice set by family duties, Experiences of gender bias creating challenges with other healthcare professionals; and Lack of identity with the legacy of ‘the first female vascular surgeon’ in her respective province.  The landscape of vascular surgery training and the presence of women in the field have evolved significantly since the inception of this medical specialty in Canada. Consequently, the documentation of vascular surgery history and the progress made in achieving gender representation have taken on new-found significance. As the pioneering female vascular surgeons approach retirement and a new generation of surgeons join the field, lessons learned in the process of forging gender diversity in vascular surgery may be useful as diversity in other aspects of the field is sought.

During the 1930s, a significant number of physicians, nurses, and scientists sought refuge in Turkiye as they fled the oppressive regimes in Nazi Germany and its neighboring countries. They were employed in educational and health institutions in Turkiye, especially at Istanbul University. Although the number decreased in subsequent decades, foreign physicians and specialists continued to migrate to Turkiye even after the 1950s. This qualitative study analyses the documents and materials available in the Turkish State Archives to shed light on the experiences of these foreign medical professionals. According to documents examined, from 1950 to 1973, the Faculty of Medicine of Istanbul University employed a total of 18 foreign physicians and specialists: four in the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, three in the Department of Histology and Embryology, three in the Surgery Clinic I, two in the Internal Medicine Clinic III, one in the Department of Physiology, one in the Department of Experiential Research, one in the Department of Biophysics, one in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology,  one in the Department of Pharmacy, and one in the faculty staff. Then, it is reasonable to assume that the contributions of these foreign physicians and specialists played a significant role in the development of the departments they were associated with at the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine.

The Ottoman Empire was established in the western neighboring Iran during the late 13th century and early 14th centuries. The relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Iran fluctuated between periods of peace and conflict. The migration of Iranian scholars to the Ottoman Empire is a significant aspect of the historical ties between These two country. One of these scholars was Mohammad ibn Mahmoud Shirvani who authored medical books and served different Ottoman rulers.He was born in the Shirvan region of Azerbaijan and later migrated to the Ottoman Empire. He served in the court of Sultan Mehmed II as one of the seven esteemed physicians. He continued to practice medicine and held the position of Chief Physician of Bayezid II before the year 889 AH.His works include pharmaceutical compilations like Revzat al-Atr fi’l-Tibb, ophthalmology works such as al-Murshid, and other medical compilations like Sultaniye and Yaqubiyye. These works indicate Shirvani’s extensive knowledge in various medical fields.Shirvani’s familiarity with the works of respected physicians like Avicenna and Ibn al-Baytar enriched his contributions to various medical fields. As an Iranian, he was able to draw from the works of other Iranian doctors written in Persian, benefiting from their insights. He made significant contributions to medical knowledge in the Ottoman civilization, as he facilitated the transmission of Iranian medical scholarship to the Ottoman Empire. Further research on his manuscripts and their comparison with medical texts from subsequent periods could yield valuable insights into his lasting impact on the field of medicine.

Immunology has played a prominent role in the history of medicine and considerable research has been conducted to explore the history of this science. However, the use of blood serum to treat diseases in pre-medieval times lacks a well-documented history. Despite this knowledge gap, Emil Adolf von Behring is recognized for his groundbreaking discovery of serum therapy. Serum therapy involves the administration of animal or human blood serums as a means of combating infections, paving the way for more effective disease management in the medical field.This research, citing the book, The Canon of Medicine, written by Avicenna, states that there is evidence suggesting that serum therapy can be seen much earlier than its use in the Western world. In the discussion of poisonous animal bites, Avicenna first states the significance of fortifying the immune system to protect the body. In Avicenna’s work on rabies, he states that if a patient bitten by a rabid dog eats the blood of the rabid dog that bit him, or eats the rabid dog’s liver and heart, or puts it on his wound, especially if the liver and heart belong to the same dog that bit him, the patient will be healed. This early exploration of utilizing animal-derived substances to combat disease may be regarded as an antecedent to contemporary serum therapy, which was later developed by Emil Adolf von Behring.This research reveals that Islamic scholars, especially Avicenna, through their clinical and practical experiences, possessed knowledge of the immune system and serum therapy long before the discoveries of Edward Jenner and Emil Adolf von Behring. Consequently, they were able to successfully apply this knowledge in treating patients well before the formal recognition of these principles in Western medicine.

Mohammad Karim Khan Kermani was one of the famous intellectuals and writers of the Qajar era. His extensive body of work covers various subjects, including medicine during his lifetime. He has also written several works drawing from his personal experiences and giving references to earlier medical and religious sources in medical science and pharmacy, as well as medicine. One notable example is his two-volume Arabic work, “Daghayegh al-Alaaj”. This study examines the content, provisions, and medical advice offered in “Daghayegh al-Alaaj” to evaluate Mohammad Karim Khan Kermani’s understanding of medical sciences and disease treatment during the Qajar period. The findings of this research reveal Mohammad Karim Khan Kermani’s considerable knowledge and expertise in medical sciences and the treatment of diseases in the Qajar period. By analyzing the text, provisions, and content of this work, we aim to answer the primary question: What is the significance of “Daghayegh al-Alaaj” in the context of medicine and disease treatment during the Qajar era?As a result of the analysis, it becomes clear that the book holds a unique place in the history of Qajar medicine due to the author’s profound knowledge of disease treatment.