De Gradibus

De Gradibus is a seminal work in the field of pharmacology and medicine, written by the renowned Persian physician, Avicenna. This work is a part of Avicenna's larger medical encyclopedia, The Canon of Medicine, which was a cornerstone in the development of medicine during the Middle Ages and beyond.

Overview

De Gradibus presents a system of therapeutics based on the concept of drug potency, which Avicenna termed as "degrees". This system was a significant advancement in the field of pharmacology, as it introduced a method to quantify the effects of medicinal substances.

Content

The work is divided into several sections, each dealing with different aspects of drug potency. The first section discusses the basic principles of drug potency, while the subsequent sections delve into the specifics of different types of drugs, their effects, and their degrees of potency.

Avicenna's system of degrees is based on four primary factors: temperature, moisture, quality, and quantity. Each drug is assigned a degree of potency based on these factors, ranging from one to four. This system allowed physicians to prescribe drugs with a greater degree of precision and efficacy.

Influence

De Gradibus had a profound influence on the development of pharmacology and medicine. Its system of drug potency was widely adopted by physicians during the Middle Ages and remained in use for several centuries. The work also influenced the development of pharmacy, as it provided a scientific basis for the preparation and dispensing of medicinal substances.

See Also

• Avicenna
• The Canon of Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Medicine in the medieval Islamic world

References

• Avicenna's Canon of Medicine: A Look at Health, Disease and Rehabilitation. Medicine and Health, Rhode Island.
• Avicenna (Ibn Sina): Muslim Physician And Philosopher of the Eleventh Century. Rosen Publishing Group.