Journal of Research on History of Medicine

Journal of Research on History of Medicine

A Historical-Descriptive Study of the Orthopedic Chapters in Cerrahiyetü’l-Hâniyye: Revisiting a Neglected Surgical Source in the Islamicate Tradition

Document Type : Conference Paper

Authors
Zahra Ghahremani 1
Sobhan Ghezloo 1
Shahrzad Irannejad 2
1 Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Institute of the History of Pharmacy and Medicine, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
10.30476/rhm.2025.109050.1381
Abstract
This historical-descriptive study investigates the orthopedic chapters of Cerrahiyetü’l-Hâniyye, the first illustrated surgical manual in Turkish authored by Şerafeddin Sabuncuoğlu in the 15th century. The focus is on the manuscript preserved at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, believed to be autograph and illustrated by the author. We examined treatments of fractures and dislocations, specialized surgical terms, instruments, and illustrations showing stepwise orthopedic procedures. The methodology included codicological examination, textual analysis comparing with classical sources (especially al-Zahrawī’s al-Taṣrīf), and visual analysis. Results showed coordinated text and image use, practical adaptations of classical teachings, detailed management techniques including reduction, immobilization, and post-operative care, and innovations suited to local clinical settings. This work underscores Cerrahiyetü’l-Hâniyye as both pedagogical and historical document in the Timurid-Ottoman surgical tradition.
Keywords
History of Medicine
Bone Fractures
Orthopedic Procedures
Surgical Instruments
Islamic Medicine
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  2. Özel, E., 1992. Şerafeddin Sabuncuoğlu and Cerrahiyetü’l-Hâniyye. Ankara: Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları. [in Turkish]
  3. Sabuncuoğlu, Ş., 1465 AD. Cerrahiyetü’l-Hâniyye. [Manuscript]. No. 693. Held at: Bibliothèque nationale de France; autograph and illustrations by author.
  4. Spink, M.S., and Lewis, G.L., 1973. Al-Taṣrīf of al-Zahrāwī. London: Wellcome Institute.
  5. Taqi, K.M., and AlNasrallah, N., 2025. A Journey in Time; Muslim, Arab, and Persian Physicians and the History of Surgery. JRHM, 14(1), pp. 19–32.
Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume 14, Suppl. 1
The 2nd History of Medicine Meeting: Entangled Histories: Contribution of Iran and Türkiye to the Development of Medical Sciences; 2025 Oct 7-10; Shiraz, Iran
October 2025
Pages 65-68