Author's Reply.

Sir,

At the outset, I thank authors for their keen interest and appreciation expressed about the article entitled “Walter Cooper Dendy (1794-1871) and the first book on pediatric dermatology”.[1] However, the authors have raised some concerns which I would like to address in the following paragraphs.

Firstly, as the said article was written with an intent to focus on the first book on Pediatric Dermatology, so only pioneering and very prominent landmarks like mention of Kaumarbhritya (the branch of pediatrics and obstetrics of ancient Indian medicine), al-Razi's first book on pediatrics and the first book on pediatrics in English language by Thomas Phaer have been mentioned, though the present author was well aware about the plethora of literatures available before Dendy's work, namely the mention of various diseases and their remedies in ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatises of Charaka, Susruta, Bhela, Vagbhata, Kashyapa (to name a few), texts mentioning pediatric ailments in various works of Greco-Arabic medicine and ancient medicine evolved in other parts of the world. All these works were on pediatrics in which dermatological disorders were discussed as a part, whereas Dendy wrote his book dedicated solely on dermatological problems as has been clearly mentioned in my article. Furthermore, an exhaustive review of these renowned works of different great authorities would have led to a chapter or rather a compendium. Hence by no means, the article neglected the footprints of various authorities of the bygone era.

Secondly, the authors have mentioned in their letter that al-Razi was preceded and followed by eminent authors like Rabban al-Tabari (838-870 CE), Thābit ibn Qurra (836-901 CE), al-Majusi (930-994 CE) and certainly Avicenna (980-1037 CE) and others. But as authors themselves have mentioned, most of them wrote part or a full chapter on pediatric disorders, except one written about the babies born at seven month of age by Thābit ibn Qurra. It would have been prudent if they would have provided the name or available English translation of the same. In contrast to this, al-Razi wrote the first book dedicated to pediatrics that marks the beginning of a new branch of medicine.[23] This was the cause that led to the exclusive reference to al-Razi's work.

Thirdly, the authors mentioned that the present author has mistaken al-Razi as Arabian physician. They have correctly pointed out the geographical generalization. The present author has mentioned al-Razi as great physician from the Arabian world as also can be seen in other works of different authors.[345] al-Razi was born at Rey in Iran, but his activity was not limited to Rey. His great works during his Baghdad period of life had spread to the rest of the medical world and made him one of the greatest physicians of all time. The contributions of Persian authorities in the evolution of Greco-Arabic medicine have been well recognized in the history of medicine.[6] The present author has no aim to claim al-Razi as an Arab as this does not benefit the article in any way.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the authors once again for their detailed attention in my article and enriching our knowledge by imparting some valuable information.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.