Medieval Islam

• Rhazes

  • What: Discovered sulphuric acid & described smallpox.
  • When: 865 - 925
  • Why: Improve Galen.
• Avicenna

  • What: Wrote over 450 books in different subjects, famous works include Book of Healing, Canon of Medicine.
  • When: 980 - 1037.
  • Why: Followed approach of Hippocrates and Galen.
• Ibn Nafis

  • What: Wrote a medical encyclopaedia, correctly described how blood moves around the body.
  • When: 1126 - 1198
  • Why: Argue against Galen & to advance medical knowledge.
• Islamic vs Christian Methods.

  Islamic: Christian:

  • Observed the patients -> Cared for the patients
  • Treated them best way they could -> Treated by praying to God
  • Treated in hospitals -> Hospitals were religious
  • Contained doctors -> Contained priests & nuns