IBN BUTLAN
SCHACHTAFELEN DER GESUNTHEYT, 1533
HEALING IN TABULAR FORM
The "Chessboards of Health" is traced back to an Arab manuscript of the High Middle Ages. The first German translation appeared in Strassbourg in 1533. The work of a second Arab physician, Ibn Gazla, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and healing of diseases, accidents and other ailments, was added to the work of Ibn Butlan in this edition. The third part is again written by Ibn Butlan and summarises his health rules.
Both Ibn Butlan and Ibn Gazla use a new type of representation, the table, which had previously appeared only in astronomical and legal works, but not in medical works. These "boards" are each located on the left side of the book, while the right side provides the same content as text. Ibn Butlan's dietary part contains 40 tables. Matching woodcuts are visible in a border at the lower margin of the right side of the book. The second, medical part by Ibn Gazla deals with diseases in 44 tables.