Al-Bīrūnī's book on pharmacy and materia medica

Al-Btriuni's book on pharmacy and materia medica, ed. with English translation by H. M. Said and R. E. Elahie, Karachi, Hamdard National Foundation, 1973, volume 1, pp. viii, 376+430 pp. (Arabic text), $30.00; Introduction, commentary and evaluation, by S. K. Hamarneh, volume 2, pp. 152, illus., $6.00. SAMI K. HAMARNEH, The physician, therapist and surgeon Ibn al-Quff (12331286), an introductory survey of his time, life and works, Cairo, Atlas Press, 1974, pp. viii, 199+27 pp. (Arabic text), $6.50. (Copies may be obtained from the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC 20560, U.S.A.) Reviewed by A. Z. Iskander, D.Phil., Wellcome Institutefor the History ofMedicine, 183 Euston Road, London NW] 2BP.