ABU 'ALI AL-HUSAYN IBN 'ABDULLAH IBN AL-HASAN IBN 'ALI IBN SINA, KNOWN AS AVICENNA (D.1037 AD), KITAB QANUN FI’L TIBB ('THE CANON OF MEDICINE'), VOLUME V, ON MEDICAL RECIPES AND THERAPEUTIC DRUGS, PERSIA OR CENTRAL ASIA, ILKHANID, DATED 727 AH/1326 AD |

Arabic manuscript on paper, 107 leaves, 20 lines to the page written in naskh script in black ink, important words in red and marginal annotations in red and green, in later black leather binding, with flap

In overall good condition, the margins with annotations, minor stains affecting mainly the lower side, minor holes and rubbing, minor splits to the pages and restorations, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Known as Avicenna in the West, Ibn Sina can be regarded as the most influential writer in the history of medicine. His unparalleled al-Qanun fi'l tibb or 'The Canon of Medicine', completed circa 1025 AD, gathered the totality of medical knowledge at the time. A dedicated intellectual, he spent the latter part of his life at Isfahan, unexpectedly dying during an expedition to Hamadan in 1037 AD. The corpus is divided into five volumes dealing with different aspects of the human body and its cure: the first kitab talks generally about medical principles, anatomy and the effects of the environment on human health; the second volume lists alphabetically several medicines and simple drugs, with their properties and side-effects; the third one is divided into twenty-two funun (sections) and concerns specific pathology and diseases of various parts of the body, from head to toe; the fourth is on more general diseases which affect the whole body (for example fevers, leprosy and fractures), and the last kitab (which the present manuscript represents) deals with medical recipes and therapeutic drugs.

An ownership note reads that this copy was reviewed and edited by Ibn Abi-bollah Jalal al-Din Muhammed between Muharram and Safar 1023 AH/February and March 1614 AD.