With the rise of religious orthodoxy in medieval Europe, the Greco-roman medical heritage was largely translocated from the West, in order to further flourish in the Islamic World. In the age of reason, while the early scientific academies, were engaged in a courageous confrontation with the suppressive scholastic doctrines, science and philosophy-which integrated also medicine-had already undergone an extensive development in the East. After the glorious victory of the encumbered scientific academies in the battle against dogmatism and ignorance, their function was gradually modified, in various countries, according to the existing predilections and prevailing circumstances.
Iran, with its medical heritage emanating from the pre-islamic era, can rightfully lay claim to one of the richest in the world. Host to the world's most advanced medical institution at Jundi-Shapur, under the Sassandie reign, she was especially predestined to further nourish the rational medicine.
Science and philosophy, in Islamic Iran cherished the religious promotion and led to the emergence of such erudite scholars as Biruni, Avicenna and Rhazes whose works served as honored medical texts as late as the mid-seventeenth century.
However, the inept ruling dynasties of Iran following the Mongol invasion, were instrumental in the decline of knowledge and suppression of the rational medicine in Iran, despite the immense advancements already made in clinical medicine and therapeutics. In Europe, the Avicenna's Canon in medicine was replaced by positivistic oriented teaching and research and thus, the lux was no more ex oriente.
The Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran came to existence in 1991, to fulfill the role of a consultative body capable of outlining and projecting current and future needs of the republic in matters of health, medical education and research.
In accordance with its principal goals and responsibilities, it was decided to publish an international journal, in order to reflect the vast medical experience of Iranian physicians, who care for more than 60 million population to the world medical community.
Despite the irrefutable value of scientific positivism in modern medicine, the vast complexity of human body defies any objective cause and effect relationship in many aspects, emphasizing the immense value of clinical experience.
The Archives of Iranian Medicine (AIM), the Official Journal of Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran, is particularly intended to publish contributions relevant to the Middle East and the third world countries. It welcomes bio-medical experience and clinical investigation on prevalent diseases in the region, and analytical study of factors which may modulate the incidence, course and management of diseases and pertinent medical problems in the region.
AIM, is also designed to come up for several shortcomings; on account of the limited circulation of the local Persian-language medical journals, it was found germane to incorporate "Excerpts from Persian Medical Literature", in each issue of the Journal and make provision for delivery of the entire text, should this need arise from our readership.
A section will be dedicated to the "History of Medicine" to elaborate on contribution of the outstanding traditional Iranian scholars and physicians to the medical community.
We have furthermore, allocated a section to the "Commented Summaries from Current Medical Literature" comprising selected articles which may have impact on medical practice of this country or similar medical communities elsewhere in the developing countries.
Included also, is a "Calendar of Events" containing an update of the forthcoming scientific meetings in the country and intended to help foster scientific traffic for the researchers interested in the medical and public health problems of this country.
The "Photo Clinic", another section of the Journal, deals with intriguing pictures, roentgenograms, and photomicrographs, relevant to diseases prevalent in the third world communities, but rare enough not to be normally seen by a physician practicing in western countries.
Karim Vessal, M.D.