Miratü'lEbdan Fi Tesrih-i Azaül-Insan: first printed illustrated anatomy book in Ottoman-Turkish medicine.

BACKGROUND: Medical education in Ottoman-Turkish medicine was shaped by the influence of Claudius Galenus (c.130-c.210) and Ibn-i Sina (c.980-c.1037). These teachings were performed in madrasahs until the beginning of the 19th century. Within the scope of master-apprentice relationship, medical training was also given in private clinics. As a result of religious and social pressures on scientific studies, human cadavers were never used because they were considered sacred. For centuries, all books were handwritten in the Ottoman Empire until the first printing press was established in Istanbul during 1726. However, the first illustrated book on anatomy was not printed until another 100 years later. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was conducted on the anatomical drawings in "Miratü'l Ebdan Fi Tesrih-i Azau'l Insan" (Ataullah SM, 17th), and significance of this book. RESULTS: Forty-six out of 56 figures were received from the book of physician and anatomist Jean Palfin (1650-1730). Remaining 9 figures were cited from author himself as collected from Bernard Siegfried Albinus (1697-1170), Raymond Vieussens (1614-1715), R. Drake (1667-1707), Clopton Havers (1657-1702), Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777), Joseph Guichard Duverney (1648-1730). The figures were drawn exactly the same way with minimal changes. Main text of the book is mostly translation from Italian edition of Bertin and Palfin's Works. The book is not only the first printed anatomical book but also the first printed work in Ottoman-Turkish medicine. Another very significant aspect of the illustrations are perspective drawing figures which differ from miniature style drawings of the past. CONCLUSIONS: Sânîzade Ataullah's work has a significant value not only for being the first printed illustrated anatomy book which makes it more approachable but also for providing anatomical drawings as illustrations not as miniature style painting.

[A review of Sanizade Mehmed Ataullah Efendi's book: Kanunu'l Cerrahin]. / Sanîzâde Mehmed Ataullah Efendi'nin Kânûnü'l-Cerrâhîn adli kitabinin incelenmesi.

Sanizade, who lived in the first half of the 19th century, is an important physician for his great contributions to the Ottoman Medicine, by transfering European medical knowledge. He has important books concerning history, as well as medicine. In one of his works on medicine, Hamse-i Sanizade, a work of five valumes, the volume titled Kanunü'l Cerrahin (the Law of Surgery), deals with surgery. Written in 1810s, the book could be published only in 1828, after Sanizade's death. In the introduction of the book, diseases necessitating surgery and surgical operations are described in brief. In the part concerning diseases requiring surgery; swellings, diseases of the urogenital organs, hard and soft tumors, injuries and wounds and methods of their treatment are dealt with. As an additional part, orthopedical disorders, such as fractures, dislocations and other skeletal disorders are described. Surgical operations are written aiming to train in the field. The book is not composed in the classical style of the Ottoman surgery books, which implies that the book might be a translation form an Italian work or it may be an anthology.

[A review of Sanizade Mehmed Ataullah Efendi's book: Kanunü'l Cerrahin]. / Sanîzâde Mehmed Ataullah Efendi'nin Kânûnü'l-Cerrâhîn adli kitabinin incelenmesi.

Sanizade, who lived in the first half of the 19th century, is an important physician for his great contributions to the Ottoman Medicine, by transferring European medical knowledge. He has important books concerning history, as well as medicine. In one of his works on medicine, Hamse-i Sanizade, a work of five volumes, the volume titled Kanunü'l Cerrahin (the Law of Surgery), deals with surgery. Written in 1810s, the book could be published only in 1828, after Sanizade's death. In the introduction of the book, diseases necessitating surgery and surgical operations are described in brief. In the part concerning diseases requiring surgery; swellings, diseases of the uro-genital organs, hard and soft tumors, injuries and wounds and methods of their treatment are dealt with. As an additional part, orthopedical disorders, such as fractures, dislocations and other skeletal disorders are described. Surgical operations are written aiming to train in the field. The book is not composed in the classical style of the Ottoman surgery books, which implies that the book might be a translation from an Italian work or it may be an anthology.