ABSTRACT

Aim:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the sections related to pregnant, infant care and illnesses of childhood in Paul of Aegina’s Epitome of Medicine. The relevant sections parts were translated from English into Turkish with the aim to make a contribution to the history of medicine literature into Turkish.

Material and Methods:

In this study, The Seven Books of Paulus Aeginata edition of Francis Adams’s translation of Epitome from Greek into English, which includes his interpretations, and which was prepared for The Sydenham Society in 1844 was used. Sections regarding pregnant, infant care and illnesses of childhood in the first book were translated from English into Turkish.

Results:

A total of fourteen titles were identified under which information about health protection of pregnant women and babies, wet nursing and children’s illnesses were given. Paul enjoyed prominent physicians’ writings primarily Oribasius, and also Galen, Soranus, Aetius while composing his Epitome. Similar titles and some additional sections in Paul’s Epitome were determined in comparison with Oribasius’ Synopsis. Relevant sections in Galen’s De Sanitate in his Epitome Tuenda and Soranus’ Gyneceia were also determined, translated into Turkish and explained.

Conclusion:

In his Epitome,Paul compiled the knowledge of his century on pregnant and infant care and illnesses of the childhood and enriched it with his own contributions. In the light of the field literature and the findings of this study, it can be stated that Epitome is an important work that has significant impact on the medicine afterwards with its extensive geographical and cultural access through its published translations in Latin, Arabic, English, German and French.