Ibn Sina, also known in the West as Avicenna, made significant contributions to the field of medicine, most notably through his seminal work, "The Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb). Here are the key ways he contributed:
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Wrote a Medical Encyclopedia: He authored "The Canon of Medicine," a comprehensive medical encyclopedia that systematically compiled the medical knowledge of his time. This work became one of the most influential medical texts in both the Islamic world and medieval Europe, serving as a standard textbook in universities for centuries.
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Introduced New Techniques: While his primary contribution was theoretical and educational through his writings, he also discussed various surgical procedures and advancements in medical techniques based on observations and experiences.
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System of Medical Practice: Avicenna developed a new system of medical practice that emphasized the importance of clinical observation and diagnosis. His works explored the nature of diseases, their causes, and the importance of treatment through both theoretical and practical insights.
However, contrary to the options provided, he did not discover the cure for smallpox and measles, as these diseases were well-documented later, long after his lifetime.
In summary, the most accurate representation of Ibn Sina's contributions is that he wrote a medical encyclopedia that became a textbook in medieval Europe, and he developed a new system of medical practice.