Comparison in size at birth was made among Indian mothers of Hindu, Sikh, and Moslem origin living in Leicester and their infants, and white mothers and their infants. White infants were significantly heavier than infants from all Asian subgroups studied and had larger heads. Sikh babies were significantly longer and heavier than Moslem and Hindu babies, and in some respects were more comparabl...

This article will present what we know of the life and times of an important alchemist, Ibn Umayl. It is entitled ‘Towards a Context’ because I have not yet consulted a number of his treatises, which are mostly only available as manuscripts. Ibn Umayl’s position in alchemy accords with Hermetic doctrines, and may have developed as a traditionalist reaction to developments in alchemy around the ...

Ibn Sina is generally known as one of the most important philosophers and physicians, one whose contributions to science and philosophy have attracted numerous studies. This article provides an outline of his philosophy of science which determined the framework for his understanding of natural philosophy. Rather than being of historical interest, the article argues, Ibn Sina's philosophy of sci...

A close look at the writings of the Middle Eastern and North African scholars who lived in the Middle Ages (roughly between A.D. 476-1500) reveals an immense body of theoretical knowledge pertaining to the humanities, and behavioral and social sciences. A partial list of the scholars who wrote on these issues includes names such as Abu Yusuf (8th century), Abul-Fadl Al-Dimishgi (9th century), A...

bark". Dietrich provides eleven notes to Ibn al-Baitar's commentary and, as he does in all entries, attempts to identify the plant in modern nomenclature. In this instance, however, Dietrich says, "The plant's identification is very doubtful, perhaps impossible to know". And, he references his discussion of the plant in his Dioscurides triumphans. The reverse happens as well. As an illustration...

Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD), known by his full name Abu Ali al-Hussain ibn Abdallah ibn Sina and the Latin name 'Avicenna', was a Persian scholar who is primarily remembered for his contributions to the science of medicine. He authored Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine). Sections of his work are devoted to detailed descriptions of a number of infectious illnesses, particularly rabies. Avice...