Continuation of the listing of the medical writings of Moses Maimonides commonly referred to as the Rambam.
8. “ספר הקצרת”, Maqāla Fī al-Rabw; English "Treatise on Asthma"; written in 1190 AD.
The book has thirteen chapters of which the first ten provide a healthy general regimen for asthma sufferers. Several chapters deal with diet, as the type and quantity of food and beverages can be either beneficial or harmful. Likewise the Rambam devotes a chapter to favorable practices in regards to air and the movement of the soul (probably exercise). Another chapter explains retention and evacuation of bodily wastes. The tenth chapter advises the patient concerning sleep and waking, bathing, massage, and sexual intercourse. The twelfth chapter details the drugs that should be used shortly before and after an attack. He concludes with a small number of general rules. It is clear that the Rambam is emphasizing a healthy lifestyle as the prime cure for asthma. Drugs have a place especially in times of crisis but are not the prime vehicle for recovery.
Like the books on hemorrhoids and sexuality, this is largely a case study. The patient, for whom this book was written, suffered from painful debilitating headaches. The symptoms began with a common cold, especially in the rainy season, forcing him to gasp for air until phlegm was expelled. Maimonides regards bronchial asthma as largely due to nervousness. This creates an inclination in some people to overreact to certain irritants. He began by making an in-depth diagnosis of the physical, psychological, and spiritual state of the sick person and based on this the Rambam determined the proper treatment. He generally recommends a proper diet, discusses climate, and emphasizes the need for clean air. Spiritual improvement is also important to provide relief. He also explains the best suited diet and climate for asthmatics, outlines recipes for meals, and instructions for producing drugs.
The Rambam recommends a number of substances for the treatment of asthma, sometimes as medicines and other times as foods. Among other things they tend to widen the breathing passages and are anti-inflammatories. Some of his favorites were licorice, almonds, and olive oil. He also recommended inhalations and describes the way in which the plant aloe or a mixture of arsenic, long birthwort, and ox fat should be cast into a fire so that its vapor enters the nose and mouth. So to speak it is burning incense. The therapeutic aspect of some of the medicines used by Maimonides is known and they or variants of them may be in use today. However many others of them are not presently understood and research into them is just beginning.
The Rambam lists cannabis as a pharmaceutical and like others notes its psychoactive effects. He prescribes cannabis oil for a variety of ear and respiratory conditions, including the common cold. Its use to treat asthma goes back to the dawn of civilization, however I have not seen that the Rambam used it for this malady. Opium and alcohol in the form of wine are on his list of recommended substances.
The last chapter of this work contains advise which Maimonides considered useful to any man desirous of preserving his health and administering to the sick. It opens by saying major considerations are fresh air, clean water, ample sunshine, and a healthy diet. Air should have proper circulation and be kept dry at all times by sweet scents, fumigation, and drying agents, possibly by burning incense. The concern for clean air is the foremost rule in preserving the health of one‘s body and soul.
TO BE CONTINUED
Bibliography:
Asthma: The Biography By Mark Jackson; (https://books.google.co.il/books?id=wGwj8UYt7g8C&pg=PT46&lpg=PT46&dq=Maimonides+asthma+inhalations&source=bl&ots=y9jKHXEDln&sig=aJ51bXCvyQT-nDpFpWOI3H3KOd4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-qO2L5bDSAhXHyRoKHZYXDmEQ6AEIKjAD#v=onepage&q=Maimonides%20asthma%20inhalations&f=false).
Encyclopedia.com; article on Maimonides, Moses
Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, “Moses Maimonides: Biographic Outlines” by Fred Rosner, M.D., M.A.C.P.; http://www.rmmj.org.il/userimages/3/0/publishfiles/3article.pdf
Wikipedia - English; Medical works of Maimonides
Wikipedia - Hebrew; article on the רמב”ם
ספר הקצרת ע"י רמב"ם; Translated by Dr. Susman Muntner; HebrewBooks link: http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=38191&st=%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%9F&pgnum=1&hilite=af9ff50d-f46b-4f9d-89bb-f70871e6c2bd
"Treatise on Asthma" by Maimonides; To order an English translation as part of a seven volume set click
http://www.israelbookshoppublications.com/store/pc/showsearchresults.asp?pageStyle=H&resultCnt=100&order=1&keyword=Maimonides&submit=SEARCH
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