Abstract:

Transliteration of Ottoman works written in Arabic alphabet to Latin script and revealing their grammatical features may help historians of science overcome the initial challenges they may face when studying such texts. Following that, science historians can assess the scientific quality of the transliterated texts whose philological features are revealed. The purpose of this study was to determine the herbal drugs in an anonymous and undated medical and pharmaceutical manuscript titled Risâle-i Mu’âlece. It was probably written in the sixteenth century and is now housed in the National Library in Ankara. The present study also seeks to shed light on the history of Turkish culture and language. After the text was translated to Latin script, the Turkish drug names were recorded, and then herbal drugs were thematically classified and their use in therapeutics and their application in Ottoman medicine and pharmacy were also determined. On the other hand, the remedies made with herbal drugs were listed, as well as the method of preparation, use, and naming. Thus, the general characteristics of Ottoman medical therapies and pharmaceutical practices in the sixteenth century were established. This study demonstrated that these therapies and practices were founded on scientific principles.

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