Union Catalogue of Manuscripts from the Islamicate World

P. 23 (University Library, Cambridge University)

E. G. Browne Collection

Contents

Summary of Contents: طلب الحواء A system of Medicine, in Persian, by Murád 'Alí Tálpar, entitled Tibb-i-Murád,
not mentioned by Fonahn or in the usual catalogues. Begins:
حمد بيعد و ثنای بیحد بارگاه جلال قدس کریمی را سزاست الخ ... اما بعد، بر رای بیضا ضیای
نبض شناسان صورت دانش و بینش و ضمیر آفتاب تأثیر تشخیص نمایان ابدان فطرت و دانائی روشن
و مبرهن باد که این عاصی پر معاصی محبّ اهل بیت كرام عليهم السلام مراد علی تالپر بن میر
شهید میر صوبدار خان شهید بن میر بهرام خان شهید بن میر شهداد خان تالپر را در دل افتاد که
چون در حدیث علم الابدان خير من علم الاديان واقع است چیزی از علم طب تصنيف كرده شود،
پس از کتبهای معتبره این نسخه غریب عجیب موجز و میمونه مسمّی بطب مراد که مشتمل
است بدفع اصناف امراض و رفع انواع اعراض که مرض و عرض از مستلزمات وجود است بعون
حضرت الهی و توفیق نامتناهی تصنیف کردم Here follow some verses, among which is a chronogram, giving the date of
composition, which was apparently 1216/1801-2:
فرحت آمیز روح طب مراد
هاتفم گفت سال تاریخش
The author was evidently an enthusiastic adherent of the Shi'a sect, and, after
enumerating the material methods of treating each disease, constantly adds pious
formulae recommended by the Prophet or one of the Imáms as appropriate. Indeed
the work as a whole contains more superstition than science, many of the remedies
prescribed being grotesque and even disgusting. The elaborate subdivisions
characteristic of most Arabic and Persian works on Medicine are here conspicuous
for their absence, the only division being into unnumbered sections indifferently.
entitled Fasl or Báb. The principal contents are as follows:
Diseases of the Head, f. 3"; Eye, f. 64; Ear, f. 96; Nose, f. 103; Lips,
Mouth and Tongue, f. 108; Teeth and Gums, f. 117: Throat, f. 128; Lungs,
f. 134; Heart, f. 157; Breast, f. 169"; Stomach, f. 171; Liver, f. 211"; Spleen,
f. 225; Rectum and Anus, f. 226; Kidneys, Bladder and Urinary organs, f. 236;
Male organs of Generation, f. 294; Gynaecology and Parturition, f. 303; Spinal
column and Joints, f. 317"; Wounds and salves, f. 326; Haemorrhage, f. 333;
Excessive perspiration, f. 334"; Sciatica, f. 336"; Elephantiasis, f. 337b; Fevers,
f. 338; Skin diseases, f. 359; Boils and Abscesses, f. 363; Cancer, f. 364";
Leprosy, f. 366; Smallpox, f. 368b.
Amongst the works most often quoted are those of Yusufi (fl. circa A.D. 1500),
especially his rhymed treatise on "Foods and Drinks" (see Fonahn, p. 75, No.
209), from which a long quotation is given on ff. 188-190, and a work entitled
Rawdatul Adhkar (eg. on f. 225), dealing, apparently, with prayers and ejacula-1
tions supposed to possess healing virtues.
The MS., obtained from the Belshah collection in January, 1920, comprises
396 ff. of 31 x 19'5 c. and 20 ll., and is written throughout in a neat and legible
ta'liq with rubrications. The last four leaves are damaged in the lower part, and
this damage affects the chronogram at the end which would, apparently, have given
the date of composition.
و می شهید

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 396
Dimensions: 31 × 19.5 cm.

Layout

20 lines

Hand(s)

Neat and legible ta'liq with rubrications

History

Origin: undated

Provenance and Acquisition

Bequest of E. G. Browne.

Record Sources

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card for admissions procedures contact Cambridge University Library Admissions). Contact near_eastern@lib.cam.ac.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript

Funding of Cataloguing

JISC


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