Cyril Elgood

Cyril Lloyd Elgood M.D., F.R.C.P., honorary physician to the king of Persia (Shah) was a British physician (graduate of St. Bartholomew's Hospital) and historian of medicine in Persia/Iran, best remembered for his breakthrough studies on the history of medical and educational advances of Persia during the period of the 1500s to mid 18th century. He was also known for his work at Her Britannic Majesty's embassy in Tehran,

Elgood took great interest in Persian medicine, and its history and produced several publications on the topic. He also practiced medicine in Persia, as well as back home in Britain where he was a general practitioner in Wareham, Dorset as well as a consultant to two major English hospitals. and his Persian Medicine published in Clio Medica series,

Elgood also focuses on development of Medicine in Safavid Iran, a period stretching roughly from King Ismail I of Persia to the dynasty's fall during King Abbas III's reign. Elgood also delves into India and its medical advances. In the same period of time while Persia is ruled by the Safavids, India is dealing with the Moguls under Zahir al-Din (Ismail's counterpart) all the way to the Moghul Muhammad Shah (Abbas's counterpart). he makes a detailed description of the medical procedures used in Safavid Persia with attention to minor details and his emphasis on anatomy and the steps involved in each procedure, perhaps owing to his medical background as well as his historical interests.

Gynecology Elgood also had an interest in gynecology in ancient Iran. In his Safavid Medical Practice he delves into midwifery, birth, sterility, pregnancy, abortion, birth control and mother child relations. In this book Elgood also sheds light on some of the treatment for common ailments of the day in Persia such as Whooping cough (Pertussis), and hay fever, as well as the methods used to deal with the newly arriving syphilis (originally contracted from the New World by French explorers and then brought to Persia). The arrival of syphilis via Europe earned the ailment the nickname of the French Pox possibly due to its secondary syphilitic presentation with gray, circular marks all over the body mimicking small pox; Persia, according to Elgood, was at the peak of its performance medically despite having to deal with newly arriving ailments and evolving existing ones.

Translations Elgood also produced various translations including Prophetic medicine including his various books on ancient Iranian medicine. This was another dimension to his writing that also incorporated when apt, folk lore, anecdotes and customs. Elgood was also well respected within the historical and medical community as is indicated by this ending quote from Sami K. Hamarneh, P.H.D. who states:

The late Dr. Cyril Elgood left a legacy of writings on the history of medicine in Muslim lands, especially in Persia (Iran)...The recent death of Cyril Elgood was indeed a loss to the many who admired his thorough and intelligent evaluation of Persian medicine, its history and contributions to medical progress.