Science & Medicine
History: KS3, topic 3.3.6
Developments in Science and Medicine cont.
The Muslim world helped to advance the scientific and medical knowledge of the world.
Key people
- Ibn Sina (known as Avicenna) wrote a book called the 'Canon of Medicine'.
- It combined the knowledge of the Greek and Islamic worlds. It was used as a standard medical textbook in Europe until the 1600s.
- Ibn Nafis wrote about how blood travelled in the body in the 13th century. This knowledge wouldn't be acquired in the West until 300 years later.
Hospitals
- The caliphs in Baghdad built hospitals because the religion of Islam taught that sick people should be cared for.
- Unlike their European counterparts, these hospitals aimed to both care for their patients and treat their illnesses.
- Some of the first and most advanced hospitals were built in the 8th century. They were most present in Baghdad and Cairo.
Doctors
- Muslim Arabs first introduced proper training and qualifications for doctors.
- This included exams, which had never been given to doctors before.
- There were also female doctors and nurses, which was mostly unheard of in Europe at the time.
- Scientists in Baghdad worked out how to make lenses to help people see better.
Muslim vs Christian doctors
- Wounded crusaders and soldiers are said to have preferred to visit a Muslim doctor rather than a Christian one.
- This was because Muslim doctors were more knowledgeable.
Test yourself on Science & Medicine
Which scholar wrote about how blood travelled in the body in the 13th century?
Why did the caliphs fund the construction of hospitals?