Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Ashfaq AHMAD & Ala NARAYANA
Procedure of Manuscript Study in Post Graduate Education of
Unani Medicine: A Reappraisal
Study of Unani manuscripts
There exist vast literatures of Unani system of medicine
in manuscript form in India and abroad in different languages.
A large collection of manuscripts from medieval
period in Arabic/Persian languages are also preserved in El-
Escorial library (Spain). They need exploration, deep study
and preparation of subject wise compilations, dictionaries,
monographs, text books and reference books and publication
with proper editing. There is also an urgent need of
bringing out ancient classics with commentaries by famous
authors. New literature produced on account of these studies
should be made available to the people at large. 5
Though a large section of people are aesthetically aware
of the value and utility of the manuscript but lesser and
lesser number of serious scholars is taking interest in manuscript
studies. The reasons are many:
• Knowledge of a classical language helps while referring
to original documents as almost all Unani treasures are
in Arabic/Persian/Urdu languages, but interest in learning
these languages through conventional educational
programs is not there. Those who join Unani courses
are not taking them as their first or second choice of
language either unlike earlier period when it was preferably
for Arabic/Persian scholars. 2
• The opportunities for students from Arabic and Persian
Madrasas are denied by the establishment to take
direct admission in Unani Medical colleges so number
of Arabic and Persian scholars is also diminishing,
but the price the Unani system is paying and will
have to pay would be colossal in the sense that a large
part of Unani manuscripts collection full of traditional
knowledge of healing and medicinal value will remain
buried and ultimately perish as there would be less
and less number of Arabic/Persian Unani scholars
who could identify, catalogue, publish and translate
these manuscripts.
Life Cycle of Manuscripts
• Identification of sources of mss and unpublished rare
works and consideration for further work (Translation
and Publication) needs collaboration with institutes like
Central Institute for Modern Indian Languages, Mysore
(CIIL), English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad
(EFLU) for foreign languages
• To develop centralized repository of medical manuscripts
either by collection of MSS or digitization of
MSS or by collection of digital copies of mss.
• To develop mss information system/comprehensive
digitized inventory of MSS
• Metadata: To prepare a descriptive catalogue on digitized
MSS
Preservation
There is a large number of manuscript and other
documents in India written during the last several centuries
and now available in different institutions like museums,
libraries and in private hands. The problems are
more acute because the materials on which the manuscripts
and documents are written are extremely delicate
and prone to deterioration. As a result it is common observation
that a very dismal picture is presented by the
collections in these institutions. Insect attack, growth of
fungus, dust, acidity in paper, lack of proper storage and
other ills can be seen.
• For the conservation of all such materials constant efforts
to use modern technology are required for maintenance
and preservation.
• Such as regular cleanliness, control of light, humidity
and temperature, prevention from fungal and insect attack,
control of air pollution as much as possible, repair
and lining the manuscripts, de-acidification of manuscript
paper and its lamination, encapsulation, proper
maintenance by using modern gadgets. 1
Cataloguing:
The manuscript should be catalogued in the following
manner.
1. simple index
2. alphabetical index
3. subject wise index
4. descriptive catalogue 6
Collation and Editing:
Unlike the sciences and arts of present day, the traditional
system of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and
Siddha are based on the literature written centuries ago.
Any research conducted on the principles of these systems
is to be based on the interpretations of the classics
or treatises. These interpretations are to be studied
considering various aspects involved such as different
regions, times, traditions practices, languages or scripts.
Comparative study of original texts and its translation
98
ISHIM 2011-2012