Paper; Egypt; 12th century; Judaeo-Arabic

T-S AR 30.286

In this note, the medieval Jewish writer Moses Maimonides provides medical advice to the ‘honourable Toviyya’, one of his many students, who is suffering from migraine and sight problems. Maimonides proposes a diet to be implemented in phases, depending on the state of the headache.

To begin the treatment, the student should drink broth with raisins or sugar. Food that warms or ‘stuffs the brain’, like garlic, onion, leek, fish and milk, are best avoided. If this fails, Maimonides suggests Toviyya should prepare a compound mixture by crushing and boiling celery, fennel, chicory and lily roots, lavender, oxtongue, lemon peel and raisins, and drink it with rose syrup. Maimonides suggests the use of laxatives for cleaning the body during treatment and a poultice of rose water and red zinc oxide for preserving healthy vision. The student should also avoid violent movements, including sexual intercourse, during treatment.