The article analyzes the lexico-semantic characteristics of medical terms belonging to the category of «akhlot» (bodily fluids), based on ancient texts: Akhawayni Bukhari’s «Hidoyat-ul-muta’allimin-fi-t-tibb» (“Guide to Medicine for Students”) (10th century) and Akili Khurasani’s «Makhzan-ul-adviya» (“Treasury of Medicines”) (18th century). The functional characteristics and status of medical terminology associated with the terms «rutubot» and «akhlot»—found in both early sources and texts from later periods—are examined from a comparative perspective. Medical terms denoting varieties of «akhlot» include such units as «savdo» (black bile), «safro» (yellow bile), «balgham» (phlegm/mucus), «khun» (blood), «mani» (semen), «chirk» (pus), and «rim» (pathological secretions). The terms in question are derived from both native and borrowed vocabulary. It is concluded that medical terms dating back to the 10th century were more frequently formed from simple words, whereas the language of medical treatises from the 16th to the 20th centuries shows an increased use of complex compound terms.
medical terminology; 10th-century medical texts; 18th-century medical texts; akhlat; blood; savdo; safro; balgham
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