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AVICENNA'S HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT
OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
Nizamova Zulfira
Department of Endocrinology
Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14886005
Abstract.
This paper examines the contribution of Abu Ali ibn Sina
(Avicenna) to the development of endocrinology. Despite the lack of knowledge
of hormones and endocrine glands in the modern sense in his era, his clinical
observations and descriptions of pathological conditions associated with
metabolic disorders anticipated many fundamental discoveries. In the Canon of
Medicine, Avicenna described diabetes mellitus, its symptoms and treatment
methods in detail, and also studied thyroid diseases, in particular endemic
goiter. In addition, he noted the influence of mental factors on physiological
processes, which corresponds to modern concepts of psychoendocrinology . The
work emphasizes the importance of Avicenna's medical heritage in forming the
foundations of future endocrinology.
Key words:
Avicenna, endocrinology, “The Canon of Medicine”, diabetes
mellitus, goiter, metabolism, psychoendocrinology , history of medicine,
hormonal regulation, medieval medicine.
Abu Ali ibn Sina, known in Europe as Avicenna (980–1037), was one of the
greatest physicians and philosophers of the medieval East. His work, The Canon
of Medicine (
Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb
) served as the basis of medical education for
centuries and had a significant impact on the development of medicine,
including endocrinology. Although endocrinology as a science did not exist in
Avicenna's time, his observations and descriptions of various diseases
associated with dysfunction of the endocrine glands laid the foundation for
further study of this field.
Avicenna's Main Achievements in Endocrinology
1.
Description of clinical manifestations of diabetes. Avicenna was one of the
first to describe in detail "sugar disease" (
diabetes mellitus
), calling it "honey
urine" because of the characteristic sweet taste of urine. He noted symptoms
such as copious urination (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), emaciation and
weakness . Avicenna also suggested a connection between this disease and
metabolic disorders and dysfunction of internal organs, which later turned out
to be true.
2.
Attempts to treat diabetes. Unlike ancient doctors who viewed diabetes as
a kidney disease, Avicenna suggested that its development was associated with
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more complex processes in the div. He proposed diet therapy, herbal medicine,
and exercise as treatment methods, which in many ways anticipated modern
approaches to non-drug diabetes therapy.
3.
Study of thyroid diseases. In his works, Avicenna described goiter
(enlargement of the thyroid gland) , associating it with the geographical features
of regions and the quality of drinking water. He suggested that this disease is
more common in certain areas, which can be considered an early observation of
endemic goiter. It was later proven that goiter actually develops due to iodine
deficiency in the div.
4.
Hormonal aspects of growth and development. Avicenna's writings
contain descriptions of age-related changes in the div, including puberty,
changes in div weight, and aging . He suggested that the div's internal
processes are regulated not only by external factors (such as nutrition), but also
by certain "internal forces ,
"
which can be seen as an early guess about the
existence of endocrine regulatory mechanisms.
5.
Consideration of psychoendocrine relationships . Avicenna paid attention
to the influence of emotions and mental state on physiological processes . He
assumed that strong experiences can lead to physical changes, which
corresponds to modern ideas about psychoendocrinology , where stress and
emotional factors affect hormone levels (for example, cortisol).
Conclusion
Although Avicenna did not know about hormones and endocrine glands in
the modern sense, his clinical observations, hypotheses, and treatment methods
laid the foundation for the further development of endocrinology. His detailed
description of diabetes, goiter, age-related changes, and the interaction of the
psyche with bodily functions made his contribution invaluable to subsequent
generations of doctors and scientists.
References:
1.
Mamedov M.N. Avicenna’s “Canon of Medicine”: a bridge between ancient
and modern medical science // Effective pharmacotherapy. 2024. Vol. 20. No.
43. P. 24–29.
2.
Mansurov H.H. Avicenna on some diseases of the digestive organs and
proper nutrition. Dushanbe: Donish , 1980. 44 p.
3.
Sagadeev A.V. Ibn Sina (Avicenna). 2nd ed . M .: Mysl , 1985. 222 With .
4.
Jibladze G. Avicenna's Systems. Abu Ali Ibn Sina: an exoteric essay. Tbilisi:
Metzniereba , 1986. 199 p.
5.
Mansurov H.H. Avicenna on some diseases of the digestive organs and
proper nutrition. Dushanbe: Donish , 1980. 44 p.
