De Gradibus
Encyclopedia
De Gradibus was an Arabic
book published by the Arab physician
Al-Kindi
(c. 801–873 CE). De gradibus is the Latinized name of the book. An alternative name for the book was Quia Primos.
In De Gradibus, Al-Kindi attempts to apply mathematics
to pharmacology
by quantifying the strength of drugs. According to Prioreschi, this was the first attempt at serious quantification in medicine. He also developed a system, based on the phases of the Moon
, that would allow a doctor to determine in advance the most critical days of a patient
's illness
. During the Arabic-Latin translation movement of the 12th century, De Gradibus was translated into Latin
by Gerard of Cremona
. Al-Kindi's mathematical reasoning was complex and hard to follow; Roger Bacon
commented that his method of computing the strength of a drug was extremely difficult to use.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
book published by the Arab physician
Islamic medicine
In the history of medicine, Islamic medicine, Arabic medicine or Arabian medicine refers to medicine developed in the Islamic Golden Age, and written in Arabic, the lingua franca of Islamic civilization....
Al-Kindi
Al-Kindi
' , known as "the Philosopher of the Arabs", was a Muslim Arab philosopher, mathematician, physician, and musician. Al-Kindi was the first of the Muslim peripatetic philosophers, and is unanimously hailed as the "father of Islamic or Arabic philosophy" for his synthesis, adaptation and promotion...
(c. 801–873 CE). De gradibus is the Latinized name of the book. An alternative name for the book was Quia Primos.
In De Gradibus, Al-Kindi attempts to apply mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
to pharmacology
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
by quantifying the strength of drugs. According to Prioreschi, this was the first attempt at serious quantification in medicine. He also developed a system, based on the phases of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, that would allow a doctor to determine in advance the most critical days of a patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
's illness
Illness
Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...
. During the Arabic-Latin translation movement of the 12th century, De Gradibus was translated into Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
by Gerard of Cremona
Gerard of Cremona
Gerard of Cremona was an Italian translator of Arabic scientific works found in the abandoned Arab libraries of Toledo, Spain....
. Al-Kindi's mathematical reasoning was complex and hard to follow; Roger Bacon
Roger Bacon
Roger Bacon, O.F.M. , also known as Doctor Mirabilis , was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical methods...
commented that his method of computing the strength of a drug was extremely difficult to use.