Haly Abbas (949–982 AD)

Haly Abbas (Ali ibn Abbas Majusi Ahvazi)

The golden age of medical sciences in the Islamic civilization spanned from the 9th to the 11th century. Medicine flourished through contributions from prominent Persian scholars such as Avicenna, Rhazes and Jorjani during this period. Ali ibn Abbas Majusi Ahvazi (علی بن عباس مجوسی اهوازی), also known as Haly Abbas in the west, was another renowned Persian physician of this era. Haly Abbas was born in Arejan, a city near Ahvaz, southwest of Persia (presently Iran), in 949 AD.  Although he was a Muslim, his father (Abbas) and ancestors belonged to a famous family practicing Zoroastrianism (a Persian religion predating the Islam). Therefore, he was known as ‘Majusi’, a name referring to Zoroastrian followers. On his death, in 982, Haly Abbas was likely buried in Baghdad or else in Shiraz (the exact site is unknown).

Haly Abbas education and Medicine  process

After primary schooling in his native town, he moved to Shiraz and was educated in medicine by the prominent Persian physician Abu Maher Shirazi Later, he set off for Baghdad and became the court physician to Azod od-Dowleh Panah (Fana) Khusraw (936–983), an emir (King) of the Buyid dynasty in Persia. Haly Abbas was also one of the prominent physicians attending the Azodi Hospital in Baghdad.

Holly Abbas’ outstanding book on medicine

During his time in Baghdad, Haly Abbas wrote a large medical encyclopedia entitled Kamil al-Sinaa al Tibbiya (کامل الصناعة الطبیة) ،The Perfect Book of the Art of Medicine) or al-Maliki (الملکی, The Royal Book), dedicated to the king. Her book is called “Liber Regius” in Latin The book is composed of two parts; the first is on theoretical aspects of medicine, while the second deals with the practice of medicine.  It comprises 20 chapters, each of which begins with anatomical discussions and includes the description of diseases and treatments. The Royal  Book was originally written in  Arabic language.

Highlights of Holly Abbas in Medicine

he is regarded as the first scientist who rejected ancient Galenic principles of medicine and who tried to present a new kind of medicine, based on observational data. he was a painstaking scientist in the field of medicine proposed new diagnostic criteria and medical treatments about different ailments. He followed the main school of Hippocrates and he has had an important influence on Avicenna. Hali Abbas has done extensive studies in the fields of ophthalmology, the nervous system, cancer, family planning, the heart and its structures, the structure of vessels, surgical tools and other medical issues. In the field of neurology, Haly Abbas meticulously described the pathophysiology of disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord. He has proposed valid theories that guide other practitioners in the field of medicine.

References:

• Zargaran A, Zarshenas MM, Ahmadi SA, Vessal K. Haly Abbas (949–982 AD). Journal of neurology. 2013 Aug;260(8):2196-7.
• Changizi Ashtiyani S, Shamsi M, Kabirinia K, Tabatabaei ST. The opinions of Ali Ibn Abbas Ahvazi renowned physician of Islamic culture and civilization. Research in Medicine. 2011 Nov 10;35(3):125-38.
• Heydari M, Dalfardi B, Golzari SE, Mosavat SH. Haly abbas and the early description of obstructive jaundice. Iranian journal of public health. 2014;43(8):1161-2.