An Early Report of Using Protecting Gloves by Hakim Mohammad, a Persian Surgeon (16Th Century Ce) Publisher



Tajik N¹ ; Ghahremani Z¹ ; Ghezloo S¹ ; Irannejad S² ; Zargaran A¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Acta Chirurgica Belgica Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Although using gloves in surgery dates back to the nineteenth century in modern medicine, it seems that the earliest evidence can be found in the Middle Ages. Methods: It is a library research-based study on the book of Dahire-ye Kamele, written by Hakim Mohammad (Hakim Muhammad), a Persian surgeon in the sixteenth century. Results: Hakim Mohammad advises the surgeons to use a sheath made of sheep testicle skin for their fingers when examining a wound and putting ointment and bandage on it to protect oneself from diseases that are transmitted through the skin and blood, such as people with wounds whose wounds are caused by smallpox, anthrax, leprosy and infectious wounds. Conclusion: The words of Hakim Mohammad suggest a preliminary concept of using surgical gloves to prevent transmitted diseases, dating back to sixteenth century, 3 centuries before its use in modern era. © 2025 The Royal Belgian Society for Surgery.