Qusṭā ibn Lūqā's medical regime for the pilgrims to Mecca
Subtitle: the Risālā fī tadbīr safar al-ḥajj
By: edited with translation and commentary by Gerrit Bos.
Contributors: Bos, Gerrit, 1948-
Series: Islamic philosophy and theology,; v. 11
Publisher: Brill
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng; ara
Number of pages: 184
Subjects: Medicine, Arab.; Travel -- Health aspects -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. -- Early works to 1800.; Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Health aspects -- Saudi Arabia -- Mecca -- Early works to 1800.
Other titles: Medical regime for the pilgrims to Mecca.
Description: This work by Qusta Ibn Luqa, the only known health guide for the pilgrim to Mecca, discusses in a concise and logical manner the best regime for the traveller, the diseases which may befall him and their treatment. It is an eloquent witness to the author's profound knowledge of the works of ancient physicians, especially those of the Byzantine physician Paul of Aegina. After an exposition of the best regimen for the traveller, Qusta mentions the different diseases which may befall him, namely, fatigue, earache, diseases of the bronchial tubes and those caused by dust. Recommended remedies are simple and compound drugs, bathing and massage. Qusta then discusses criteria to determine the quality of water, means to improve bad water, and means to quench one's thirst. In the next chapter Qusta treats the prophylaxis against vermin and the treatment of stings and bites caused by them. After a lucid exposition of spontaneous generation, Qusta concludes his treatise by discussing the occurrence of the Dracunculus medinesis and its treatment. -- Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [179]-184) and index.
English and Arabic.
Translation of: Risālah fī tadbīr al-abdān fī safar li-salāmah min al-maraḍ wa-al-khaṭir.
"Present study is an enlarged and revised version of my dissertation completed in the year 1989 at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam"--Foreword.