The 13th-century Parisian edition of the Canon Medicinae is not your typical medical textbook. Instead of boring pages of text, this manuscript is a work of art, with vibrant illustrations that depict the medical practices of the time. Tucked away in the Besançon Municipal Library, this Latin translation of Avicenna’s work showcases the influence of Middle Eastern medicine on Western practices.

Avicenna, a Persian physician from the 9th century, compiled the Canon as a comprehensive guide to medical knowledge. Drawing from the works of Greek physicians like Galen and Hippocrates, as well as his own experiences, Avicenna created a textbook that would be used for centuries. The illustrations in this edition of the Canon are not for the faint of heart – from graphic surgical procedures to bizarre creatures in the margins, the artwork is both fascinating and unsettling.

h/t: flashbak

In this manuscript, readers are introduced to patients with various ailments, from goiters the size of turnips to bizarre cases of seasickness. The illustrations bring to life the medical practices of the time, from consultation tables that resemble something out of a comedy sketch to surgical operations that seem like a medieval version of the game “Operation.” Each page is filled with intricate details and fantastical creatures that add a touch of whimsy to an otherwise serious subject.

One standout illustration features a man with a sword lodged in his skull, a literal interpretation of a “headache.” This macabre depiction is just one example of the bizarre and sometimes gruesome scenes depicted in the Canon. Despite the graphic nature of the illustrations, they provide valuable insight into the medical practices of the past and the cultural influences that shaped them. The Canon Medicinae is not just a medical textbook – it is a window into a world where medicine and art intersect in the most unexpected ways.