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The
development and, indeed, the very
creation of European medicine is
unthinkable without the Arabs'
contribution. For its basis was the
legacy of the ancient Greeks, and that
legacy was unknown to Europe until the
moment when it became available in Arabic
translations and with the commentaries of
Arab scholars. The first contribution of
the Arabs to western medicine is, thus,
the transmission of Greek knowledge.
Between 800 and 900 A.D., they had
discovered, translated, commented upon,
and assimilated the entire Greek heritage
in practically all branches of science.
Of medical works they translated not only
those of such giants as Hippocrates and
Galen, but also of Dioscorides, Paul of
Aegina, Oribasius and Rufus of Ephesus.
Further, the Arabs are credited with many
original contributions of hospitals and
clinics, the practice of internship, the
licensing of physicians and regulations
concerning malpractice.
The most important medical school
affecting the development of Arab
medicine was Jundishapur, situated in
what is now western Iran. Jundishapur
came under Arab rule in 738 A.D. and a
medical school, managed by Syrian
Christians, began to foster the spread of
medicine among Arabs and
other Muslims.
The
first bimanstan (hospital and
medical institution) in the Arab domain
was established in Baghdad during the
reign of the Caliph al-Mansur (754-775
A.D.). Incorporating the traditions and
standards of Jundishapur and laying the
foundations for the wider Arab adventure
in medicine, hospitals continued to be
built throughout the Abbasid empire
(749-1 258 A.D.), an era referred to as
the "golden age" of Arab Muslim
rule. In the medical schools associated
with the hospitals, a well~eveloped
curriculum was taught, in line with the
notion that an "educated" man
was not one with a singular area of
expertise. Music, mathematics, astronomy,
geometry and other courses were among the
electives available. Students learned
medical theory and practiced in small
classes where they received clinical
instruction and observed surgery.
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From
Spain to western Indian, bimaristans were
among the most important educational
institutions in the Arab world.
Physicians of many races, nationalities
and religions taught and practiced in
them, making daily rounds, taking noteS,
writing prescriptions. Men and women
recuperated in separate wards and many
hospitals had gardens in which herbs were
grown for use in treatments. Doctors even
traveled to remote villages and
accompanied soldiers into the field so
that the injured could be cared for
immediately. Hospitals were established
for the blind, lepers and even the
mentally ill. |
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