[A translation of the Tuhfe-i Aliyye--the Kina Kina (cinchona) essay by Ali Münşi of Bursa].

Abstract

Ali Münşi (Bursa ? - Istanbul 1733), mostly known as Bursali Ali Münşi, is one of the most eminent physicians in the 18th century. He started education at a Bursa madrasa and attended courses given by many famous Ottoman physicians and scholars in various madrassas in Bursa. After completing his education in madrassa he was employed as a mudarris in Bursa and Istanbul madrassas. He was appointed to the Ottoman Palace and became a member of the royal physicians (etibba-yi hassa), because of his proficiency. Then, he was promoted and was officed as the head physician of the Galatasaray Enderun School. Ali Münşi has many works on medical practice, such as, Bida'at al-mübtedi, Cerrahnâme, Tuhfe-i aliyye and Altznotu Risalesi. Tuhfe-i Aliyye is known as the Kinakina Risalesi (chinchona), that is about how to treat a patient infected with malaria, by administering a drug named chinchona. Besides, it deals with the story of introducing chinchona to the Ottoman world from Europe. It was the first monography written on kinakina. There are several manuscripts of this text; for example, one is in the Bayezid Library, the other is in the Cerrahpaşa Medical School Medical History Department. This article is a Turkish transliteration of the Süleymaniye manuscript.