Avicenna's views on pest control and medicinal plants he prescribed as natural pesticides.

The present study aimed to introduce Avicenna's views on pest control and the medicinal plants he proposed as natural pesticides. Also, we addressed the strategies that he leveraged to formulate and prescribe them, and, finally, we put his views into perspective with modern science. The data were collected using Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) as well as scientific databases. According to Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb, 42 medicinal plants are described as natural pest control agents. After introducing the pest control properties of each plant, Avicenna explained the appropriate strategies for use of these plants. These strategies or formulations included incensing, spraying, spreading, rubbing, smudging, and scent-dispersing, which are equivalent to the modern pesticide formulations of fumigants, aerosols, pastes and poisoned baits, lotions, creams, and slow-release formulations, respectively. This study revealed that Avicenna introduced the pest control approach with natural plants in his book Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb and, thus, harnessed the power of nature to control nature. Future research is recommended to find the pest control merits of the presented medicinal plants, in order to incorporate them into pest control programs and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the complications of current synthetic pesticides.

Introducing and Studying the Materials and Methods of Anesthesia and Analgesia in Ancient Iran.

In ancient Iran, humans have been looking for ways to anesthetize, control, and reduce pain to perform surgeries to treat diseases, which is evident in ancient scientists' medical and nonmedical works. Although modern anesthesia expanded with the introduction of ether into this process, this great success was achieved after years of suffering and with the efforts of scientists throughout history who have played an essential role in advancing this knowledge. In ancient Iran, may (wine) was one of the materials of anesthesia, as in the Avesta, and Minooye Kherad, the properties of wine as an anesthetic are mentioned. Marijuana and Haoma were also used as other substances. The creation of a "hypnotic sponge" in ancient times made general anesthesia and many surgical procedures possible in subsequent centuries. In the history of medicine in Iran, various terms such as Mokhadir (anesthetic), Monavim (sedative), Mosabbit (hypnotic), and Mosakkin (pain relief) have been used to control pain. The purpose of this research was to introduce and study the materials and methods of anesthesia and analgesia in ancient Iran. The results show that anesthesia owes its early progress in part to the works of early Iranian practitioners.

Avicenna's clinical toxicology approach and beneficial materia medica against oral poisoning.

Considering the rich background of Persian Medicine in the use of materia medica for the treatment of diseases, the huge burden of oral poisonings in the world, and the urgent need to find scientific solutions, the purpose of this study was to determine Avicenna's approach toward clinical toxicology and his proposed treatments for oral poisonings. In Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb, Avicenna addressed the materia medica for the treatments of oral poisonings after explaining the ingestion of different toxins and also elucidating the clinical toxicology approach toward poisoned patients. These materia medica were from different classes including emetics, purgatives, enemas, diaphoretics, antidiarrheals, inhaled drugs, sternutators, anticoagulants, antiepileptics, antitussives, diuretics, cooling drugs, stimulants, cardiotonic drugs, and heating oils. By applying different therapies, Avicenna endeavored to attain main goals in clinical toxicology that are comparable with modern medicine. They included removing the toxins from the body, decreasing the severity of the deleterious effects of toxins on the body, and counteracting the effects of toxins inside the body. Aside from introducing different therapeutic agents that played an important role in the treatment of oral poisonings, he emphasized the ameliorating effects of nutritive foods and beverages. Further research using other Persian medical resources is recommended to elucidate the applicable approaches and treatments for different poisonings.

The Rhazes' views on qualifications of physicians, a historical review.

Testing physicians and determining their professional qualifications have been significant issues in the educational and medical system of the Islamic civilization. The purpose of this study is to explain the views of Rhazes on how to test physicians in the book Al-Hawi Fi Al-Tibb. This library study has been done with descriptive-analytical method and using the keywords of medical test, medical ethics and medical history. Rhazes emphasizes various criteria by holding a comprehensive test to determine the competence of physicians with the aim of evaluating different aspects of their knowledge and attitude. He enumerates the provisions of the test in three sections: individual characteristics, theoretical and practical medical sections. The results show that Rhazes paid attention to all aspects related to a doctor's personal and social habits and behavior and his relationship with the patients. A number of post-Rhazes physicians have also mentioned to the test of physician before hiring them but their content does not have the coherence of Rhazes' statements. Most of the material mentioned in Al-Hawi Fi al-Tibb is still worth rethinking after hundreds of years. It is suggested that medical students and physicians use the ethical and professional points mentioned by this great scientist in his valuable book in order to make the high position of medical science more visible.