Islamic Medicine: 1000 Years Ahead of Its Times

Abstract

Within a century after tbe death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the Muslims not only conquered new lands, but also became scientific innovators with originality and productivity.They hit the ourcc ball of knowledge over the fence to Europe.By il1C ninth century, Islamic medical practice had advanced from talisman and theology to hospitals with ward" doctors who had to pass tests.and the use of technical terminology .. The then Baghdad General Hospital incorporated innovations which sound amazingly modern.The fountain cooled the ail' near the wards of those afflicted with fever; the insane were treated with gentleness; and at night the pain of the restless was soothed by soft music and storytelling.The prince and pauper received identical attention: the destitute upon discharge received five gold pieces to sustain them during convalescence.WhiJe Paris and London were places of mild streets and hovels, Baghdad, Cairo and Cardoba had hospitals open to both male and female patients: staffed by attendants of both sexes.These medical centers contained libraric" pharmacies, the system of interns, externs.and nurse.There were mobile clinics to reach the totally disabled.the disadvantaged and those in remote areas.There were regulations to maintain quality contro l on drugs.Pharmacis ts became licensed professionals and were pledged to follow the physician's prescriptions.Legal mea ures were taken to prevent dOClors from owning or holding •tock in a pharmacy.The extent to which Islamic medicint: advanced in the field of medical education.hospitals, bacteriology .medicine aneSlhesia, surgery, pbarmacy, ophthalmology.psychotherapy and psychosomatic diseases are preseoted briefly.

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