Cauterizing and its importance in the history of Islamic medicine

History of Islamic medicine is an important arena in the studies of Islamic history. Because of its need to medicine, Islamic society from the beginning paid attention to medicine, and Muslims started to write many books in this field; at the same times, they used the available experience of Iranians, Indians and Romans in medicine relating this issue. Al-kay or cauter izing was one of the medical experiences and conventional ways of societies in treating illnesses. While its origin is unknown, cauter izing has been used in nearly all ancient societies and transmitted through generations. This term and method of cure, which has been customary between Muslim physicians, attracts attention in hadiths and religious traditions variously. Until the modern medicine, it has been used to treat many internal or external illnesses and had some effects. In many Islamic medical books there are important points about necessity of c auter y, the illnesses which can be treated by this method, and tools and the way of using it. This article offers a historical view about this method.