Al-Buḥrān (Crisis) and Ayyām al-Buḥrān (Critical Days)

Abstract The Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory of Buqrāṭ (Hippocrates) (460-370 BC). The humoral pathology comprises quantitative or/and qualitative derangement of humours. Unani physicians classified diseases into Ḥād (acute) and Muzmin (chronic) based on their duration and severity. They observed a sudden change or turning point in some acute diseases, as well as periodic fevers, etc., that prognosticate the outcome of the diseases, either good or bad, followed by the expulsion of disease matter. They called it Buḥrān (Crisis). Based on their observation, they described Ayyām al-Buḥrān (critical days). Other than Buqrāṭ and Jālīnūs (Galen) (129-216 AD), Zakariyyā Rāzī (Rhazes) (865-925 BD), and Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) (980-1037AD), etc., were very well acquainted with this concept, hence they applied it in clinical practice. However, physicians of the later period did not pay much attention to this topic and hence did not discuss it explicitly. This study aims to review the crisis and critical days for a better understanding and clinical application. For this study, from Unani classical literature, journals, theses, and various websites, relevant materials were collected, then analyzed and systematized comprehensively.