The life and work of Abu ul-Ala Shirazi (d. 1001): a Persian pioneer in the treatment of malaria, in the style of Rhazes (865–925)

Abu ul-Ala Shirazi, who lived around the 10th century at the Court of Amir Azud ul-Duleh Bueieh (902-951) from the Dailami Dynasty, found that arsenic, known as sam-al-far, could cure malaria. A clinical trial dating from the 10th century demonstrates Abu ul-Ala’s intelligence and careful clinical observation, in the tradition of Rhazes’ practice based on experimentation and clinical trial.