Book Review: Alphita.
Klaus‐Dietrich Fischer
If we look for forerunners of today’s medical dictionaries and venture beyond the watershed which was invention printing with moveable type in Europe, may well conclude that medieval work have just been given first truly critical edition might be considered their ancestor. It differs from earlier glossaries (where difficult, obsolete or foreign words are explained) its etymological approach. is here I would see a suggestive link to other works connected School Salerno, and, spite lack incontrovertible evidence, it makes good sense claim Alphita Salerno. This prototype dictionary runs approximately 1300 entries, comprising mainly materia medica, but also diseases, some anatomy. The early Carolingian Glossarium Ansileubi shows clearly modus operandi compiler: he drew on passages treatises where word question (usually Greek obsolete) immediately followed by an explanation. (The portions this glossary were edited Danish pioneer history ancient science medicine, Johan Ludvig Heiberg, as Glossae medicinales, although Isabelle Mandrin seems think independent work.) For almost every entry, provides fuller source references excerpted there than does Alphita; because excerpts often considerably longer, easier us track down exactly. In Alphita, less 10 per cent entries come name author. Much our surprise, Alexander Tralles one who gets lion’s share, 64 total 120 (according Alejandro Garcia Gonzalez). can only seen testimony importance wide circulation Late Latin translation sixth-century (Parts present Passionarius Galieni Garioponti, whose make-up not seem clear either Mandrin, p. 20, Gonzalez.)
Medical History