Parchment Manuscript
Medieval Anthology of Medical Treatises in Hebrew. Spain-Provence, 14-15th Centuries
Medieval anthology of medical treatises written in Hebrew originating from Spain-Provence and dates to the 14th– 15th centuries.
It showcases significant medical knowledge from classical sources, particularly the works of Galen and Hippocrates, whose theories helped shape the foundations of modern medicine. The anthology contains contributions from Sephardic and Provencal scholars, with a focus on rational, observational approaches to medical practice, contrasting with superstitions of the time.
The work preserves crucial medical knowledge and translations in Hebrew, making it an essential resource for the study of medieval Jewish medical history and the transmission of Greco-Arabic knowledge into Europe.
This anthology is a significant example of how medieval Jewish scholars engaged with and preserved classical medical knowledge, blending it with local traditions in Spain-Provence during a formative period for medical science.
Page Count: 48 leaves.
Size: 13*19 cm.
Condition: good, some stains, two leaves with holes in margin.
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection.
Genazym wishes to express its gratitude to Professor Benjamin Ritchler, former director of the National Library, for his assistance in researching and describing this significant item.
14-15th century Manuscript compilation of medical treatises in Hebrew
48 ff. Sephardic or Provencal scripts on parchment.
Details of manuscript:
Part 1:
Ff. 1a-16b: Gian (Giovanissi): Introduction to Medicine.
Other copies, some incomplete, are found in manuscripts Moscow, Guenzburg collection< MS. 828, Torino A.V.28 (no longer extant), New York, Jewish Theological Seminary Acc. 15029 (incomplete).
Ff. 16b-18b: Various medical treatises with the following titles.
אודיעך תולדות האברים
כלל גדול בעשבים
ארבעה עתים יש לכל חולי
סוגי הקדחות
הדברים הטבעים שבעה
A similar MS with these treatises can be found at The Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Boston, no. 8. Pp. 121b-123a
Cf. M. Steinschneider, Hebraeische Uebersetzen, p. 703-704 .
Ff. 18v-25v: Hippocrates: Prognostics ספר החדות וההשגחות נקרא בלשון יון פרוננושטיקש
Ff. 26r-27r : Galen: ספר סם חיים לגלינוס
Another copy of this essay is found in the aforementioned Countway manuscript.
Ff. 27v-28r: Blank.
F. 28v: Various medicines in a different script.
F. 29r: Additional medicines in another script.
Ff. 30r-31r: Various medicines.
Part 2: Ff. 32r-39v.
Various medical treatises in another cursive Sephardic (probably Provencal ) script.
F. 32r-v: לוחות הסמים. List of medicines. F. 32r is stained and difficult to decipher.
Ff. 32v-33v: Medicines used by the physician Walter (or Gauthier) of Montpelier. רפואות מנוסות מפי מאשטרי גבטיר דמונטפשליר.
Ff. 33v-39v: another essay by the physician Walter (or Gauthier) of Montpelier, titled
ספר הכבוסין קצר”
למאשטרי גבטיר דמונטפשליר”
A similar treatise was copied in a MS at The Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Boston, no. 8. It seems that the end is missing in this manuscript.
Part 3:
Ff. 40r-43v: ספר הרקוח ללניקולאב. List of medicines by Nicholas. The end is missing – the scribe did not complete the essay.
Ff. 44v-48v: שער האשרבין
The manuscript includes 3 parts from 3 parchment manuscripts, probably written around 1400 in Provence and recently bound together in an embossed leather cover.
…………………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
