The relationship between the sciences of Persian medicine and agriculture in the book of Al-Shamel fi al-Sana'at al-Tebiya of Ibn-e Nafis Qarshi

Background and purpose:

Medicine and agriculture are branches of “Tabiyat” (physic), and this common root causes their basic principles and methods to be the same. This research is aimed at understanding the ideas of the past on the types of soil and its modification methods and the relationship between the knowledge of medicine and agriculture in the field of soil reform.

Methods and Materials:

This is a qualitative research paper, the source of which is one of the newest parts of the book of “Al-Shamel fi al-Sana'at al-Tabiya of Ibn-e Nafis Qarshi”. In the analysis of information, content analysis and extraction of materials in similar instances have been used. Then the rules and general principles governing the discussion have been gathered.

The temperament (mizaj) of the soil is cold and dry, and it needs sunlight and water to be suitable for farming so that its cold and dry nature is balanced. In soils that lack adequate light and water naturally, it is necessary to use artificial methods such as fertilization, irrigation, and plowing. Hence, identification of soil types and their suitability with plant type and methods used to prepare it is important.

By investigating the case of soil recognition and its modification, according to Qarshi, the relationship between the two medical and agricultural knowledge is known. This connection is in the sharing of the benefit and the purpose and some key terms of these sciences, so that if the purpose and usefulness of the science of medicine is to preserve the health and treatment of the disease, the benefit of agricultural science will be to preserve the plant and to dispose of plant pests. Some common approaches and topics are also found in both knowledge. For example, physicians modify and treat cold and dry temperaments using heat and moisture. The same method is also used to correct the coldness and dryness of the earth by artificial modification methods.