The Medical Poem

An increasingly topical subject for some in the teaching of medicine, this work provides historical depth on the relevance and value of the medical poem for educators and medical students. Commencing with the ancient world, evidence is provided for the use of the medical poem in Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece and Rome, as well as in medieval Byzantium. A powerhouse of medicine in the medieval period, the medical poems of the Muslim world are assessed, with special reference to that of Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna), one of the most influential medical authorities in the medieval and post-medieval periods, also in Europe. The use of this medical poem in Latin in Europe is explored, in addition to other medical poems authored in Italy, especially Salerno and their use elsewhere in Italy, France, England and other parts of Europe. Significantly, the devising and reading of medical poems by women and others who were not affiliated to medical schools and universities in the medieval and Renaissance periods is highlighted in celebrating this alternative medium of medical education and learning that is often absent or underestimated in various studies of the history of medicine and the history of education. The interaction of cultures and civilisations is examined concerning this subject, as are relationships of proximity and other relevant issues. A rich aspect of medical and cultural history, the medical poem is celebrated as an incredible tool for those who were and are interested in medicine and health.