THE NOMENCLATURE OF DISEASES IN TURKIC MEDICAL WORKS: A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS

"Dastur al-'Ilāj" is a significant scholarly work on medieval folk medicine. Several versions of this text, written in Persian, have been extensively studied by researchers and incorporated into academic discourse. The only extant version in Chagatai remains one of the manuscripts that requires further scholarly attention. This manuscript was written with the aim of conveying the subtleties and practices of folk medicine in a language accessible to the general population. It provides detailed descriptions of various diseases, their treatment methods, medicinal plants, animal products, and the symptoms of various ailments, along with their corresponding treatments. The article focuses on the historical development of disease nomenclature found in medieval medical manuscripts, as well as the linguistic aspects of these disease names. It explores the formation and evolution of public perceptions regarding health, disease, and their causes, which were shaped by the social conditions of the time. Medieval medical texts, often combined with religious and philosophical knowledge, commonly explained the causes of diseases as either natural or divine tests. The article further examines the variations in disease terminology across different cultures and societies of the period, the process of establishing early medical terminologies, and the methods used to define disease symptoms and their equivalents in both historical texts and contemporary medical language. Such a historical review provides a crucial foundation for understanding the evolution of disease names in modern medicine. In the medieval period, Chagatai was a prominent written language among the Turkic-speaking peoples of Central Asia and played a key role in the transmission of traditional knowledge and folk medicine practices. Medical manuscripts in Chagatai contain invaluable information, particularly regarding disease characteristics, treatment methods, medicinal plants, and folk remedies. The terminology and treatment methods of folk medicine had a significant influence on the development of Turkic languages, reflecting the historical and cultural continuity of these traditions. This study offers a deeper insight into the history of medicine within Turkic languages and its integral role in shaping aspects of national culture. In folk medicine, disease names are often closely linked to natural phenomena, social concepts, and spiritual beliefs. The terminology assigned to each illness reflects the understanding of its causes and nature, as well as the worldview, beliefs, and living conditions of the people.