Background: The development of medicine and pharmacy in the Bosnia
and Herzegovina was marked by different historical periods–first they were settled by
the Illyrians and Delmatians, and after them came the Romans, the Ottoman Empire and the
Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Objective: The aims of this article are to show, based on the
available literature: a) The development of medicine and pharmacy in Bosnia and
Herzegovina from the medieval period until the Second World War; b) The most significant
historical events that marked the development of medicine and pharmacy in the areas of
Bosnia and Herzegovina; c) Methods of treatment, medicinal forms and preparations that
were used in the mentioned period. Methods: The subject of this study was the
development of medicine and pharmacy in the areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the
14th century until the Second World War. In order to achieve the set goals, a) Retreival
of professional and scientific literature and b) Search of scientific databases and web
pages on the Internet that offer adequate and relevant data and historical facts related
to the subject of studies were carried out. Most of the facts are covered in previously
published articles by the author and deposited in the PubMed and PubMed Central
databases, as well as in books and monographs by the author of this text. Results and
Discussion: In the Middle Ages, folk medicine was present, in which herbalists looked
for medicines in certain plant and animal species. In the 13th century, Bosnia was
settled by the Franciscans, who permanently marked the development of medicine and
pharmacy. They are educated at prestigious universities abroad, from where they bring
their knowledge, skills and recipes and write them in books, which are called ljekaruse
(medicine books). Every historical period brought some changes for medicine and
pharmacy, so the Ottoman Empire brought customs of frequent cleaning, public fountains
and hammams were built. During the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the first
hospitals and pharmacies were established, and laws on pharmacy activity were
introduced. Written documents on the history of the medicine and pharmacy development in
Bosnia and Herzegovina are mostly found in the libraries of monasteries, and a
significant number of them are also in the libraries of madrasas, and the National and
University Librarie in Sarajevo and the library of former Institute of Hygiene in
Sarajevo. Conclusion: In connection with the medical and pharmacy practice of the
Bosnian Franciscans, the question of the various medical records that they created,
which helped them in their health efforts, stands out. First of all, we are talking
about numerous medicinal books, so called "ljekaruse". On the soil of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were many such "ljekarusa" who mostly
grew up at the sources of national experience. In those books, the recipes are mostly
based on the use of medicinal herbs. Historians of medicine believe that these medicinal
books represent the cultural and historical significance of our regions.
[Int. J. Biomed. Healthc. 2023; 11(4.000): 388-407]

Pharmacy, Franciscans, "Ljekaruse" medicine books