Experimental Medicine 1000 Years Ago

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Experimental Medicine 1000 Years Ago [Downloaded free from http://www.urologyannals.com on Wednesday, October 05, 2011, IP: 41.239.121.203] || Click here to download free Android application for this journal Review Article Experimental medicine 1000 years ago Rabie E. Abdel-Halim King Saud University College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract Little is known about the state of experimentation in the field of medicine during the Medieval Islamic era. With few exceptions, most of the contemporary sources on history of medicine propagate the idea that the roots of experimental medicine in its modern form, including clinical trials and drug-potency studies, first started during the European Renaissance in the 16th to the 18th centuries. This study is part of an ongoing multidisciplinary primary-source investigation of the original Arabic works of 11 Islamic medical scholars who lived and practiced between the 9th and the 13th centuries. The study critically evaluated and documented their contributions to the development of the scientific method and experimental medicine during that medieval Islamic era in several areas including critical appraisal of previous knowledge, clinical observations and case reports, clinical therapeutic trials, drug potency trials, experimentation on animals, dissection and dissection experiments as well as postmortem examinations. In each of the above-mentioned areas, significant contributions were made during the Medieval Islamic era from as early as the ninth century AD. Key Words: Experimental method, experimental surgery, history of medicine Address for correspondence: Prof. Rabie E. Abdel-Halim, 90 Heathfield Rd, Liverpool, Merseyside, L15 9HA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Received: 24.01.2011, Accepted: 24.01.2011 INTRODUCTION not a conception properly applicable to Antiquity and the Middle Ages.[6] Since the beginning of recorded history, those who tried to heal have sought truth and predictability in their encounters METHODS with the sick and injured. However, little is known about the state of experimentation in the field of medicine during The present work is part of an ongoing multidisciplinary the Medieval Islamic era. With few exceptions, most of the primary-source study of the published medical works of 11 contemporary sources on history of medicine propagate Islamic medical scholars who lived and practiced between the th th the idea that the roots of experimental science as well as 9 and the 13 centuries. The study critically evaluated their experimental medicine in its modern form, including clinical contributions to the progress of various surgical and medical trials and drug-potency studies, first started during the subspecialties. Their original works were compared with those European Renaissance in the 16th to the 18th centuries.[1-5] It of their predecessors and with those who came after them. Their is, thus, commonly believed that the contemporary scientific influence on Medieval Europe and European Renaissance was methodology based on observation and experimentation is traced, evaluated, and documented. Access this article online In this article the focus will be on the findings related to the Quick Response Code: scientific method and experimental medicine during that Website: medieval Islamic Era. www.urologyannals.com RESULTS AND DISCUSSION DOI: 10.4103/0974-7796.82168 I. Critical appraisal of previous knowledge One of the important features of medicine and other sciences Urology Annals | May - Aug 2011 | Vol 3 | Issue 2 55 [Downloaded free from http://www.urologyannals.com on Wednesday, October 05, 2011, IP: 41.239.121.203] || Click here to download free Android application for this journal Abdel-Halim: Experimental medicine 1000 years ago during the medieval Islamic era was that it developed in a logical tried by him. In such instances, he usually states that he has to and scientific way starting first with a thorough review of the verify the validity of the mentioned drug actions. literature. Islamic scholars critically appraised the translated heritage of previous civilizations rejecting what is superfluous He was also the first to doubt the belief, prevalent among the and accepting only what proved to be true in the light of their ancients that breaking of a bladder stone inside the bladder own observations, experience and experimentation; a mode of during or before its removal endangers the patient’s life.[13] In analysis that constitutes the basis of scientific research. his book Al-Hawi, after citing that Antylus, the second century Greek scholar adhered to that belief, Al-Razi commented, This mental attitude of being critical in their appraisal of the “This is to be looked into, God willing”.[14] literature did help the medieval Islamic scholars, not only in checking the validity of the previous knowledge but also in Ibn Sina (Avicenna, 980–1037 AD) basically followed the adding original new contributions. They were ready to test methodical, analytical line originated by Al-Razi in all his by experiment what they got in theory, and to tabulate and works. Here is just an example from the section on simple systematize their findings to produce original scientific work. drugs in his famous Kitab Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tib (The Canon Their works are full of statements to this effect. of Medicine): "{Bladder stone}: The critical appraisal of knowledge even if it came from famous Some people stated that the stone formed in the urinary bladder authorities was obvious in the Medieval Islamic era as early as if [prepared as medication and] drunk by a patient suffering the 9th century. An example is shown in the statement by Al- from the same condition, will dissolve [his] bladder stones. And Razi (Rhazes, 865–925) in the opening section to his book this is among the medicines I do not approve .”[15] on diet therapy Manafie Al-Aghdhiyah wa Dafei Madarrihah [Figure 1] translated as follows: The same scientific method of reliance on direct observation, “...I decided to author a complete and wide-ranging book on experience, and experimentation is also evident in works of all how to keep away the side effects (harm) of nutrients. I decided the other Islamic medical scholars subject of this study. For an to make the book more self-explanatory and comprehensive example, in his book Sharh Tashrih Al-Qanun (Commentary than the work compiled by the honorable Galen. That is because on the Anatomy of the Canon), the 13th century Ibn Al-Nafis Galen in his book on the same topic overlooked, went wrong (1210–1288), stated that,“…However as regard the function and failed to cover the subject fully in many areas..” [7] of organs, we rely only on what is dictated by investigative observations and accurate research; not caring whether it Al-Razi’s reliance on his own observation, experience, and conformed with, or differed from, the opinions of those who experimentation is also quite obvious in all sections of his came before us.”[16] encyclopedic work Al-Hawi (Liber Continens)[8] as well as in [9-11] other works. He even authored a separate treatise titled II. Clinical observation and case reports Kitab Al-Shukuk Ala Galinus (Doubts About Galen) in which A new rational approach to the care of patients was also he discussed various points of contradiction he had with Galen’s developed by Al-Razi early in the ninth century. His rational medical views.[12] approach was based on recording, interpreting and classifying his clinical and experimental observations. This original This scientific critical attitude is also evident in Al-Razi’s practice approach established the methodology of clinical medicine as frequently seen in his Al-Hawi book when commenting on and differential diagnosis and made a lasting impact on Islamic drugs described by predecessors, or by contemporaries, but not medicine. In contrast to the lack of recorded case histories in the tenth-century Latin tradition, Al-Razi’s medical practice as a clinician is attested by hundreds of case histories. Scholars who came after Al-Razi like Ibn Sina, Al-Zahrawi (Albucasis, 936–1013), Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar, 1091–1162), Muhadhdhab Al-Deen Al-Baghdadi (1117–1213), and Ibn Al-Nafis continued to follow and enrich his pioneering school giving prime importance to clinical observations and differential diagnosis. They all were keen on recording and classifying their clinical experience in the form of case histories, reports of medical Figure 1: Part of page 2 of Al-Razi’s book on diet therapy Manafie al- [17-19] Aghdhiyah wa Dafei Madharrihah[7] with added underlining to highlight experiences, and a wide variety of clinical accounts. This is in relevant text agreement with Cumston who described the Islamic physicians 56 Urology Annals | May - Aug 2011 | Vol 3 | Issue 2 [Downloaded free from http://www.urologyannals.com on Wednesday, October 05, 2011, IP: 41.239.121.203] || Click here to download free Android application for this journal Abdel-Halim: Experimental medicine 1000 years ago as keen observers who excelled in diagnosis and prognosis opinions [on laxatives and how to counteract its side effects]. with their description of symptoms showing a precision and Hence, they may compose a refutation for that purpose. an originality that could be only obtained by direct study of Then I will challenge them to one [contest]: let them utilize the disease.[20] the medicines I mentioned in the same way I prescribed and utilize it in a different way. Then, the effects and side effects III. Clinical therapeutic trials of each method are to be recorded. Certainly the experiment Deliberate case-control experiments designed to assess, upon will either validate or invalidate my opinion whether I was then patients, the value of therapeutic procedures are an essential alive or dead.”[ 22] feature of modern medicine. It is, therefore, interesting to find out that Al-Razi, more than one thousand years ago planned, Ibn Zuhr, then, elaborated on how experimentation is far carried out and reported the findings of such an experiment.
Recommended publications
  • Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
    Neurosurg Focus 11 (2):Article 5, 2001, Click here to return to Table of Contents Ibn Sina (Avicenna) Historical vignette ASITA S. SARRAFZADEH, M.D., NURI SARAFIAN, PH.D., ALMUT VON GLADISS, PH.D., ANDREAS W. UNTERBERG, M.D., PH.D., AND WOLFGANG R. LANKSCH, M.D., PH.D. Department of Neurosurgery, Charité Campus Virchow Medical Center, Humboldt University and Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin, Germany Ibn Sina (often known by his last name in Latin, Avicenna; 980–1037 A.D.) was the most famous physician and phil- osopher of his time. His Canon of Medicine, one of the most famous books in the history of medicine, surveyed the en- tire medical knowledge available from ancient and Muslim sources and provided his own contributions. In this article the authors present a unique picture of the neurosurgical technique of Ibn Sina and briefly summarize his life and work. KEY WORDS • Avicenna • Ibn Sina • historical article HISTORICAL CASE emerged during the disintegration of the Abbasid authori- The Life of Ibn Sina ty. Later he moved to Rayy and then to Hamadan, where he wrote his famous book Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb. Here he Ibn Sina is widely known by his Latin name of Avi- treated Shams al-Dawlah, the King of Hamadan, for se- cenna, although most references to him today have revert- vere colic. From Hamadan, he moved to Isphahan, where ed to the correct version of Ibn Sina, in full Abu 'Ali al- he completed many of his monumental writings. Avicenna Husayn ibn 'Abd Allah Joyce ibn Sina. He was born in wrote 99 books, almost all in Arabic, the language of reli- 980 in Afsana near Bukhara, now Usbekistan, and died in gious and scientific expression in the Muslim world at that 1037 in Hamadan (now Iran).
    [Show full text]
  • CUHSLROG M105.Pdf (3.596Mb)
    Dec 71 ARABIC MEDICINE Selected Readings Campbell D: Arabian medicine and its influence on the middle ages. (Vol. 1) WZ 70 Cl 87a 1926 Withington ET: Medical history from the earliest times. (reprint of 1894 edition) pp. 138-175 WZ 40 W824m 1964 Neuberger M: History of medicine. pp. 344-394 WZ 40 N478P 1910 Browne EG: Arabian medicine, being the Fitzpatrick Lectures delivered at the Royal College of Physicians in November 1919 and November 192 0. WZ 51 B882a 1921 Elgood C: A medical history of Persia and the Eastern Caliphate from the earliest times until the year A. D. 1932. WZ 70 E41m 1951 Levey M: The medical formulary of Al-Samarqandi. QV 11 A165L 1967 Avicenna: Poem on medicine. WZ 220 A957K 1963 Rhazes: A treatise on the smallpox and measles. Tr. by W. A. Greenhill WZ 220 R468t 1848 (does not circulate) Maimonides: Two treatises on the regimen of health. WZ 220 M223B 1964 ~~"~ _______......W::..:..::Z..:....:~'---<vf,__L._4___..,;vJ......c..h~-----=--rt:i7-- ;J:o /t. a._:_J .:....::t ei:____ _________ ~---lfHrbl-~s--+- -~-'---+ --+----'--- ✓ /~~----------------+- ~ M.,( S~ l AVENZOAR 1113-1162 Born and died at Se ville. He was opposed to astrology and medical mysticism; he was a gainst the use of sophistical subtleties in the practice of medicine. His principal work is the Altersir, in which he mentions the itch-mite, and describes operations for renal calculus and for tracheotomy. 11 His memory remains that of a truly great practitioner, whose voice fell upon the deaf ears of his contemporaries and successors, but whose achievements herelded a new era of medicine free from subservience to authority.
    [Show full text]
  • Avicenna's Contribution to Medical Terminology
    Open Access Library Journal 2020, Volume 7, e6724 ISSN Online: 2333-9721 ISSN Print: 2333-9705 Avicenna’s Contribution to Medical Terminology Tolgonai Imankulova1, Raikan Ysmailova1, Dinara Salieva1, Altynkyz Mamatova1, Nargul Mukhtarova1, Berkutbai Darbanov2, Zhypargul Abdullaeva3* , Gamzat Aliev4 1Department of Social-Humanitarian Disciplines, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan 2Department of Intercultural Communications and Linguistics, Jalal-Abad State University, Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan 3Department of Anatomy, Histology and Normal Physiology, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Jolon Mamytov Campus, Osh, Kyrgyzstan 4Human Brain Institute Named after N.P. Bekhterev, St. Petersburg, Russia How to cite this paper: Imankulova, T., Abstract Ysmailova, R., Salieva, D., Mamatova, A., Mukhtarova, N., Darbanov, B., Abdullaeva, Z. This article is investigating works of the medieval scholar Abu Ali Hussein and Aliev, G. (2020) Avicenna’s Contribution ibn Sina, who was an ancient doctor and well known for his contributions to to Medical Terminology. Open Access Library medical science. Avicenna made many greatest discoveries in the art of heal- Journal, 7: e6724. ing people. Avicenna’s book Canon of Medicine and his contribution to the https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106724 medical terminology development are described. Received: August 18, 2020 Accepted: September 13, 2020 Subject Areas Published: September 16, 2020 Medicine, Social-Humanitarian Sciences Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and Open Access Library Inc. Keywords This work is licensed under the Creative Avicenna, Ontology, Medical Terminology, Philosophy, Treatment Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access 1. Introduction Medieval scholar Abu Ali Hussein ibn Sina is an ancient doctor, who introduced the main contribution to the treasury of the universal culture by his work in medicine [1].
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Contributions of the Medieval Muslim Scholars to Medical Science
    Manarat International University Studies, 5(1), 2015 ISLAM AND MODERN SCIENCE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MEDIEVAL MUSLIM SCHOLARS TO MEDICAL SCIENCE Dr. Muhammad Obaidullah ABSTRACT The primary objective of this paper is to depict the real-time contributions made by the Muslim scientists and researchers in the area of medical science during the medieval period. Many inscribed write-ups, books and Encyclopedias have been written and published on the various areas of medical science by the eminent Muslim scholars during the medieval period. It is acknowledged by the prominent scientists, historians and philosophers that the contributions of Muslim researchers prevalently shaped the science and philosophy into the form that we see it today. However, there is a tendency in the western society to ignore the contribution of Muslim scientists in the historical development of medical science. Western writers have given little prominence to Islamic Scientific and intellectual contributions to this field. But the fact is that the Muslims carried the torch of science in an age when no other civilization was capable of doing so. The current study would also shed light on the underlying reasons as to why Muslims today are not able to contribute to the development of sciences including the medical science like their golden age. This will conclude by furnishing some suggestions to improve the current devastating state of Muslims in the development of sciences. The methodologies applied in this study are descriptive and analytic. Keywords: Science, Medical Science, Scientist, West, Islam & Muslim, 1. INTRODUCTION From the very beginning Islam encouraged the pursuit of science and favored progress.
    [Show full text]
  • The Contribution of Muslim Scholars to the Field of Medicine (With Particular Reference to Ibn Sina and Al- Razi During the Islamic Golden Age)
    Journal of Education and Social Sciences, Vol. 9, Issue 3, (February) ISSN 2289-9855 2018 THE CONTRIBUTION OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS TO THE FIELD OF MEDICINE (WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO IBN SINA AND AL- RAZI DURING THE ISLAMIC GOLDEN AGE) Tijani Ahmad Ashimi ABSTRACT Science is a part of the systematic knowledge of nature which is undoubtedly acquired through a methodology based on observation, hypothesis and experiment. In the Qur’an science is an essential activity for any Islamic community for it increases the understanding of the signs of God and hence brings the ummah closer to the Creator. Based on this fact, the scientific spirit of Muslim scientists and scholars flows from their consciousness of Tawhid (Unity of God), this tawhidic worldview has played a very vital role in exploring the physical world and discovers its secret (sunnatullah). Hence the famous Muslim scientists like al- Razi, Ibn Sina, al- Biruni, Ibn al- Haitham, al Zahrawi just to mention a few, were all noted for their observational power and experimental tendencies as displayed in their wide ranging studies of the natural sciences. As such, these great scholars have produced a lot of books which then being the important references to the later researchers notably the westerners toward the end of the dark age of Europe. Thus, this humble paper by applying a historical approach aims to explore the biographies and the immense contributions vis-a- vis the two gigantic Muslim Scholars(Ibn Sina and al Razi) to the field of Natural sciences, with particular reference to their unique contributions in the aspect of medicine.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origin of the Arabic Medical Term for Cancer
    Advances in Biological Research 11 (4): 198-201, 2017 ISSN 1992-0067 © IDOSI Publications, 2017 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.abr.2017.198.201 The Origin of the Arabic Medical Term for Cancer Abdul Karim Ismail St Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, Garrod Building, Turner Street, London E1 2AD Abstract: The objective of this research is to trace the origin of the word cancer from its origin to its translation in Arabic medical literature, its meaning and connotations, using a variety of research materials, including journals, books and manuscripts. The word cancer traces its origin to Hippocrates, using the word crab as a description for the disease. This article meticulously traces the route this description took to the coinage of the word cancer in Arabic by Ishaq ibn Hunayn (ibn Hunayn), providing references and sources. Key words: Cancer Etymology Hippocrates Al Kindi Ishaq ibn Hunayn Greek Arabic INTRODUCTION The aim of this article and research was to determine and record each stage of the medical origin of the Arabic Language is a fascinating concept, the interaction word in one place and provide a comprehensive origin of of independent consciousness and the sharing of its etymology and discuss whether this may have a neuronal action potential pathways for mutualistic benefit. clinical impact. The word cancer has such frightening and overwhelming connotations in our everyday life. As such the intention MATERIALS AND METHODS of this research is to discover the origin of this word and trace each step in how it came to mean what it does today This article is the culmination of information from a in the Arabic Language.
    [Show full text]
  • Scholars of Andalusian Origin and Their Contribution to Ottoman Science
    Scholars of Andalusian Origin and their Contribution to Ottoman Science Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu Abstract: This survey study reveals hitherto unknown aspects of scientific exchange between Andalusian and Ottoman scholars. The first outcome of these aspects came out during the long years of surveying, compiling and editing of the 18 volumes of Ottoman Scientific Literature which unveiled information about the emigration a number of Muslim and Jewish scholars to the Ottoman Empire after the fall of Granada (1492). Scholars of Arab origin mainly settled in North Africa and the province of Egypt, while the Jewish settled mostly in İstanbul and Salonica. These scholars produced works in order to prove their abilities and to be accepted by scholarly circles. Through these works, Ottoman scholars came into contact with new sources including the tradition of the “Renaissance” which was unknown to them. Some of these scholars were encouraged and given imperial patronage and some of the physicians rose to the position of palace physician to Suleyman the Magnificent. This paper gives a detailed account on life and works of the Andalusian scholars who came to Ottoman Empire in different waves of immigration as well as it tries to shed light on the later comers and their interaction with Ottoman scholars. Keywords: Ottoman Scientific Literature, Andalusian scholars, Ottoman scholars, Jewish scholars, scientific activities in Ottoman lands. Introduction Ever since it was first established, the Ottoman Empire attracted scholars from the other Muslim lands. A number of scholars from the old cultural and scientific centers of the Islamic world came to teach in the first Ottoman medreses which Suhayl 14 (2015), pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Spine Deformities and Trauma in Avicenna's Canon of Medicine
    International Orthopaedics (2019) 43:1271–1274 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-018-4278-z ORTHOPAEDIC HERITAGE Spine deformities and trauma in Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine Konstantinos Markatos1 & Georgios Androutsos1 & Marianna Karamanou2 & Maria Kaseta3 & Demetrios Korres3 & Andreas Mavrogenis3 Received: 17 October 2018 /Accepted: 9 December 2018 /Published online: 15 December 2018 # SICOT aisbl 2018 Abstract Aim of the study The purpose of this historic review is to summarize the life and work of Avicenna (980–1037) and his contribution to the diagnosis and treatment of spinal deformities and trauma. Method We conducted an extensive search in libraries as well as online in Pubmed and Google Scholar. Results Avicenna in his work Canon of Medicine combines the knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman physicians and surgeons and he combines them with the extensive of Arabic medicine and pharmacology. Conclusion Avicenna made an impact with his medical writings in which he summarized the works of ancient Greek and Roman physicians like Hippocrates and Galen with the influence of medieval authors and the knowledge of the Arabic medicine and pharmacology. His descriptions and comments in his work Canon of Medicine summarize and comment the work of his predecessors and it remained a work of reference until at least the sixteenth century. Keywords Avicenna . Canon of Medicine . Spine trauma . Spine deformity . Arab medicine Introduction In this text, we present his life and work and his views and practice on spine deformities and trauma as presented in the Ibn Sina or Avicenna (980–1037) (Fig. 1) was a Persian poly- Canon of Medicine and we compare them to the views of his math and physician who lived during the era of the Islamic predecessors and his successors for similarities and break- flourishing in the Middle Ages.
    [Show full text]
  • Medical Breakthroughs in Islamic Medicine Zakaria Virk, Canada
    Medical Breakthroughs in Islamic Medicine Zakaria Virk, Canada ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Physicians occupied a high social position in the Arab and Persian culture. Prominent physicians served as ministers or judges of the government and were also appointed as royal physicians. Physicians were well-versed in logic, philosophy and natural sciences. All of the prominent Muslim philosophers earned their livelihood through the practice of medicine. Muslim physicians made astounding break throughs in the fields of allergy, anatomy, bacteriology, botany, dentistry, embryology, environmentalism, etiology, immunology, microbiology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, pathology, pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, surgery, urology, zoology, and the pharmaceutical sciences. The Islamic medical scholars gathered vast amounts of information, from around the known world, added their own observations and developed techniques and procedures that would form the basis of modern medicine. In the history of medicine, Islamic medicine stands out as the period of greatest advance, certainly before the technology of the 20th century. Aristotle teaching, from document in the British Library, showing the great reverence of the Islamic scholars for their Greek predecessor 1 This article will cover remarkable medical feats
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Moderate Islam? It Advances Coexistence, Empathy and Peace
    What is moderate Islam? It advances coexistence, empathy and peace. It instructs us to provide for those most in need. It commands us to build bridges of dialogue and cooperation. It teaches us to embrace people of other faiths and beliefs. This is true Islam.” — His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa About the MWL The Muslim World League is a non-governmental international organization based in Makkah. Its goal is to clarify the true message of Islam. Crown Prince Faisal, the third son of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, founded the Muslim World League during the meeting of the general Islamic Conference on May 18, 1962, in order to fulfill his dream for an Islamic Ummah. The establishment of the MWL continued the vision of the Crown Prince to enlighten and educate the international Muslim community, which began with the founding of the Islamic University of Madi- nah in 1961. The Muslim World League has grown into a worldwide charity to which the Saudi Royal Family remain active donors. Ascending to the throne as King Faisal in November 1964, the Saudi leader remained steadfast in his faith, proclaiming: “I beg of you, brothers, to look upon me as both brother and servant. ‘Majesty’ is reserved to God alone and ‘the throne’ is the throne of the Heavens and Earth.” Contents Volume 55 | Issue 2 1. Activities in Review Key Events for the Muslim World League ................................................4 2. Letter from the Editor ................................................................7 3. Editorial Leaders His Excellency Dr. Al-Issa speaks at the World Affairs Council ..............................8 His Excellency Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike
    Merrimack College Merrimack ScholarWorks Honors Senior Capstone Projects Honors Program Spring 2016 Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike Shareef Gamal Mohamed Kotb Merrimack College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/honors_capstones Part of the History of Religion Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Islamic Studies Commons, and the Islamic World and Near East History Commons Recommended Citation Kotb, Shareef Gamal Mohamed, "Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike" (2016). Honors Senior Capstone Projects. 1. https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/honors_capstones/1 This Capstone - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at Merrimack ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Senior Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of Merrimack ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike By: Shareef Gamal Mohamed Kotb 1 Knowledge. Curiosity. Humility. Power. Perseverance. These are all virtues and characteristics which have shaped some of the most powerful and influential people throughout history. Such figures are responsible for discovering planets, quantifying the mass of electrons, ending terrible wars, and even identifying the flow of blood in the pulmonary circulatory system. This small population of individuals often had the odds against them, whether it was the lack of technology, resources, the countless naysayers, or even some religious leaders. Despite all of these challenges, they were able to develop the foundations of many branches of knowledge, such as Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Linguistics.
    [Show full text]
  • Surgery for Gynecomastia in the Islamic Golden Age: Al-Tasrif of Al-Zahrawi (936–1013 AD)
    International Scholarly Research Network ISRN Surgery Volume 2012, Article ID 934965, 5 pages doi:10.5402/2012/934965 Review Article Surgery for Gynecomastia in the Islamic Golden Age: Al-Tasrif of Al-Zahrawi (936–1013 AD) Seyed Hadi Chavoushi,1 Kamyar Ghabili,2 Abdolhassan Kazemi,3 Arash Aslanabadi,4 Sarah Babapour,4 Rafail Ahmedli,5 and Samad E. J. Golzari6 1 Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51656-65811, Iran 2 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51656-65811, Iran 3 Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51656-65811, Iran 4 Students’ Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51656-65811, Iran 5 Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, 1141 Baku, Azerbaijan 6 Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51656-65811, Iran Correspondence should be addressed to Abdolhassan Kazemi, [email protected] Received 14 June 2012; Accepted 1 August 2012 Academic Editors: R. W. Hsu and A. Petroianu Copyright © 2012 Seyed Hadi Chavoushi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The rise of European science during the Renaissance is greatly indebted to the flourishing of the sciences during the Islamic Golden Age. However, some believe that medieval Islamic physicians and in particular surgeons had been merely a medium for Greco-Roman ideas. Contrarily, in some medieval Islamic medical books, such as Al-Tasrif of Al-Zahrawi (936–1013), the surgical instructions represent a change in the usual techniques or are accompanied by a case history, implying that the procedure was actually undertaken.
    [Show full text]