*Ibn Zuhr*


*Name*: Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik ibn Zuhr, or Avenzoar  

*Born*: 1094, Seville  

*Died*: 1162, Seville  

*Era*: Medieval Islamic Civilization  

*Region*: Al-Andalus  

*Major Work*: _Kitab al-Taysir fi al-Mudawat wa al-Tadbir_ [Book of Simplification Concerning Therapeutics and Diet]


Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik ibn Zuhr — master physician, known in the West as Avenzoar — was one of the most prominent physicians, clinicians, and parasitologists of the Middle Ages. Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik ibn Zuhr was born in 1091/c.1094 CE in Seville. After completing his education and specializing in medicine, he entered the service of the Almoravids (al-Murabitun). But after their defeat by the Almohads (al-Muwahhidun), he worked under the first Almohad ruler, ‘Abd al-Mu’min. Ibn Zuhr died in Seville in 1161/c.1162 CE. As George Sarton confirmed, Ibn Zuhr was not Jewish, but a Muslim.


Contrary to the prevailing practice of Muslim scientists, who used to contribute to several different fields, Ibn Zuhr confined his work only to medicine. However, by focusing his interest and effort on one field, he made fundamental and lasting contributions. He emphasized the importance of observation and experiment in his work. 


In _History of Medicine_, Dr. Neuburger said of him: “Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar) was skilled in the art of dissecting the human cadaver and knew anatomy in detail. His operative technique was brilliant.”


Ibn Zuhr was the first to test medicines on animals before using them on humans. He was also the first to describe scabies and the itch mite in detail, and is thus considered the first parasitologist. Furthermore, he was the first to give a detailed description of the operation of tracheotomy and practiced direct feeding through the esophagus in cases where normal feeding was not possible. 


In addition, Ibn Zuhr provided clinical descriptions of intestinal tuberculosis, inflammation of the middle ear, pericarditis, and mediastinal tumors, among others.


*Contributions of Ibn Zuhr*  

Ibn Zuhr’s contributions included monumental works written by him; however, only three of these are extant. 


_Kitab al-Taysir fi al-Mudawat wa al-Tadbir_ [Book of Simplification Concerning Therapeutics and Diet] is Ibn Zuhr’s most important work. It highlights many of Ibn Zuhr’s original contributions. The book elaborates on pathological conditions followed by treatment. 


His _Kitab al-Iqtisad fi Islah al-Anfus wa al-Ajsad_ [Book of the Middle Course Concerning the Reform of Souls and Bodies] is a summary of diseases, treatments, and hygiene written specifically for the benefit of the layman. 


_Kitab al-Aghdhiya_ [Book on Foodstuffs] describes various types of food and medicines and their effects.

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