Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Zakariyyāʾ al-Rāzī: On Phlebotomy: Edition, translation and commentary

The objective of this study is to present a text-critical edition of the medieval treatise Maqāla fī l-Faṣd, ‘On Phlebotomy’, attributed to Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Zakariyyāʾ al-Rāzī (865-925), a prominent physician and scholar known especially for his expertise in medicine. His contributions as a distinguished medical author and devoted clinician earned him recognition in both Arabic and Latin medical literature, leading to the Latin name, Rhazes.

This edition is based on al-Rāzī’s unique manuscript preserved in Ms. Escorial 857 (fol. 1-22). By carefully analysing its content within the framework of Hippocratic-Galenic medicine, this research offers valuable insights into medieval medical practices. The emphasis has been on clarifying the theoretical aspects of Maqāla fī l-Faṣd by connecting it to its theoretical foundation. The treatise focuses on the practice of faṣd, or phlebotomy (in Greek phlebotόmos), exploring its benefits, methods, appropriate timing, and related therapies. However, a comprehensive linguistic analysis has not been pursued.

This research contributes to the preservation of history of medicine, revealing the wisdom of Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Zakariyyāʾ al-Rāzī and his impact on medical knowledge. This work makes a significant contribution by uncovering valuable insights into medieval medicine, emphasising the importance of studying, editing, and translating old manuscripts.