INNOVATION OF ‘ANAESTHETIC SPONGE’ IN ISLAMIC MEDICAL HISTORY
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INNOVATION OF ‘ANAESTHETIC SPONGE’ IN ISLAMIC MEDICAL HISTORYDr N K Al-Quisi, FFRACS, DA, DCH, Consultant Anaesthetist (Speaker)Dr M A R Al-Fallouji, Ph D, FRCS, Professor of SurgeryAn operation requires knowledge in anatomy (Yuhannah Ibn Masawayh in 830 dissected monkeys and Ibn Tufail in 1185 dissected deers, Avicenna circa 1020 and Ibn Al-Nafis (1288) dissected human bodies). It also requires knowledge in anti-sepsis (Rhazes discovered alcohol); a skilled surgeon with instruments (Albucasis described more than 100 original instruments), but more importantly surgical operation requires anaesthesia. “Arabian Nights” (Sir R. Burton) contains reference to anaesthesia by inhalation. Theodoric of Bologna (1206-1298) whose name is associated with the ‘Arabic soporific anaesthetic sponge’ got his information from Arabic sources (1). The sponge was steeped in aromatics and soporifics and then dried; when required it was moistened and applied to lips and nostrils. The Arabic innovation entails the immersion of the so-called ‘anaesthetic sponge’ in a boiled solution made of water with a unique mixture of hashish (from Arabic hasheesh), opium (from Arabic afiun), C-hyoscine (from Arabic cit al huscin, the beautiful lady), with Zo’an (Arabic for wheat infusion) acting as a carrier for active ingredients after water evaporation and within sponge interstices. Poppy seeds infusion liquid and paste were used orally in surgical procedures e.g. dental extraction, and ice was manufactured and used for local anaesthesia (2). References 1. Skinner H A. “The Origin of Medical Terms” (2nd Edition). Baltimore: The Williams & Wilkins Company, 1961. under Anaesthesia 2. Al-Fallouji: Arabs were skilled in anaesthesia. British Medical Journal April 12th, 1997;314:1128
