UNESCO has added "Al Orjoza fi teb," a 12th-century medical treatise by Andalusian philosopher Ibn Toufail, to its Memory of the World register. Presented by Morocco, this work joins 73 other documentary collections this year.
"Al Orjoza fi teb" is a medical treatise in poem form, using the rajaz meter. This format aided in learning through its simplicity and musicality. The text spans 148 pages and contains 7,700 verses detailing diseases, symptoms, and treatments.
The poem covers diseases from head to feet, including treatments. Ibn Toufail, who died in 1185, was a physician and philosopher. He also served as a minister and wrote the philosophical tale "Hayy ibn Yaqdhan."
UNESCO also inscribed Algeria's "Al-Qanun fit-Tibb" by Ibn Sina (Avicenna) to the register. The "Canon of Medicine" significantly impacted medical education until the 17th century. The Memory of the World register now protects 570 documentary collections worldwide.
Established in 1992, the program aims to preserve documentary heritage. This year's inscriptions cover topics including scientific revolution and women's contributions to history.