Ibn Al-Jazzar (Introduction, achievement, contribution)

Ibn Al-Jazzar

Name of the Scientist- Ahmed Bin Jaafar Bin Ibrahim Ibn Al Jazzar

Life Period-  895-979

Profession- Physician (Mahir-e-Tibb)

Ahmad was  a physician who was born and who practiced in Qayrawan in the tenth century, is the author of a number of medical works, the most famous of which is his Zad-al-musafir (Viaticum) which was translated into Latin, Greek and Hebrew.

 Ibn Al-Jazzar was an example of a scholar who devoted his whole life to his profession. He received patients in his home, helped by his assistant, who prepared the prescription of his master and collected the fees. He remained a bachelor and lived to an old age.

He is the author of a number of medical works, the most famous of which is his Zad almusafir wa-qut al-hadir (Provisions for the Traveller and the Nourishment of the Settled). This influential medical compendium in seven parts is for the most part still in manuscript. Only the sixth part, on sexual diseases, and a section of the seventh part, on fevers, are in the process of being printed in critical editions and with English translations.

In addition to this medical compendium, Ibn al-Jazzar composed some minor treatises. One, entitled Risala fi 'l-nisyan wa- ilajihi (On Forgetfulness and its Treatment), was published recently. Another, virtually unnoticed until now, is his Tibb alfuqara wa 'l-masakin (Medicine for the Poor and Destitute).

Ibn Al Jazzar wrote a number of books. They deal with grammar, history, jurisprudence, prosody, etc. Many of these books, quoted by different authors are lost. 

lbn AI-Jazzar wrote The Diseases of the Stomach and Their Treatment.

He also had some books on geriatric medicine and health of elderly (Kitāb Ṭibb al-Mashāyikh) or (Ṭibb al-Mashāyikh wa-ḥifẓ ṣiḥḥatihim). Also a book on sleep disorders and another one on forgetfulness and how to strengthen memory (Kitāb al-Nisyān wa-Ṭuruq Taqwiyat (al-Dhākira)and a Treatise on causes of mortality (Risāla fī Asbāb al-Wafāh).