chapter 94

discloses his observations in elaborate investigations

regarding the extraction of various kinds of arrows from the body.[28] Accordingly, several kinds of hooks and forceps for removing arrows are described and depicted in the treatise (see fig. 18). Al-Zahrāwī’s mention of Turkish bows and arrows led Freind to believe, erroneously, that the author of the treatise must have lived in the 12th century,[29] notwithstanding the fact that Turkish bows and arrows were in common use in the latter part of the 10th century.

[Illustration: Figure 17.--A crude form of bulb syringe recommended for use with children. _Top_, from original Arabic manuscript (Ali 2854), courtesy Süleymaniye Umumi Kütüphanesi Müdürlüğü. _Bottom_, from Leclerc, _Abulcasis_.]

The next chapter, on cupping, mentions the use of cups made of horns, wood, copper, or glass, according to circumstances and the availability of material. The methods of treatment are divided into two kinds: dry cupping, with or without fire, and wet cupping (see fig. 19). He prescribes ointments and aromatic and medicated waters to be applied before and after cupping to facilitate healing. Only when cupping is not possible, as on the nose, fingers, and similar parts of the human body, does he propose the use of leeches for treatment.[30] Evidently this is an indication that he did not, as generally supposed, encourage the widespread use of leeches.

[Illustration: Figure 18.--Hooks and forceps used for the extraction of arrows. _Top_, from original Arabic manuscript (Tüb. MS. 91), courtesy Universitätsbibliothek Tübingen. _Bottom_, from Channing, _Albucasis_.]

[Illustration: Figure 19.--Cupping. _Top_, from original Arabic manuscript (Tüb. MS. 91), courtesy Universitätsbibliothek Tübingen. _Bottom_, from Argellata 1531, courtesy National Library of Medicine.]

The third and final section, of 35 chapters, deals with the reduction, luxation, and treatment of injured bones, including fracture of the pelvis. The advices and warnings in the prelude of this section appear to repeat some of al-Zahrāwī’s sayings that had been covered in his previous introductions. The text, however, presents many facets of interest to the health professions. It elaborates upon the application of various forms of bandages and plasters in a variety of operations. Al-Zahrāwī’s detailed description relating to fractures of bones is a fine anatomical document of historical interest. He illustrates and describes special methods for tying injured or broken bones, and he suggests that bandages made of soft linen be less and less tight as distance increases from the injured place (