Science in a Golden Age - Al-Razi, Ibn Sina and the Canon of Medicine

Al Jazeera English・2 minutes read

Scholars in the Islamic world made significant contributions to medicine, creating standard medical texts. Hamad Hospital in Qatar treats a large number of premature babies and conducts pioneering research on neonatal encephalopathy treatment.

Insights

  • Scholars in the Islamic world from the 9th to 14th centuries laid the foundation for modern medicine by prioritizing empirical evidence and standardized procedures, shaping medical practices globally for centuries.
  • Notable figures like Ar-Razi and Ibn al-Nafis from this period introduced groundbreaking concepts such as control groups in research and the understanding of pulmonary circulation, impacting medical advancements that continue to influence contemporary treatments and practices.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What contributions did scholars in the Islamic world make to medicine?

    Scholars in the Islamic world between the 9th and 14th centuries made significant contributions to medicine by emphasizing empirical evidence and repeatable procedures. They created standard medical texts that were used worldwide for centuries, laying the foundation for modern medical practices.

  • How does Hamad Hospital in Doha, Qatar, specialize in treating babies?

    Hamad Hospital in Doha, Qatar, specializes in treating premature and newborn babies. Approximately 17 to 18 hundred babies pass through its doors, accounting for 10 to 11 percent of total births in Qatar. The hospital provides care for babies as small as 23 or 24 weeks gestation, showcasing its expertise in neonatal care.

  • What research is Hamad Hospital conducting on neonatal encephalopathy treatment?

    Hamad Hospital in Doha, Qatar, is pioneering research on neonatal encephalopathy treatment. The hospital is combining a cooling mattress with magnesium sulfate to explore treatment options. By using a control group to fairly compare treatment effects, the hospital aims to advance medical knowledge in this area.

  • Who introduced the concept of a control group in medical research?

    Ar-Razi, a Persian physician from the 9th century, introduced the concept of a control group in medical research. He conducted experiments to determine hospital locations based on air quality, showcasing his innovative approach to medical studies.

  • How did Ibn al-Nafis influence modern understanding of the heart?

    Ibn al-Nafis, a 13th-century Arab physician, described pulmonary circulation 400 years before William Harvey. His work significantly influenced modern understanding of the heart and circulation. Professor Magdi Yacoub at Harefield Hospital in the UK has advanced heart treatments based on historical medical knowledge, highlighting the lasting impact of Ibn al-Nafis's contributions.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Islamic Scholars Revolutionize Medicine, Modern Treatments Emerge

  • Scholars in the Islamic world between the 9th and 14th centuries contributed significantly to medicine, emphasizing empirical evidence and repeatable procedures, creating standard medical texts used worldwide for centuries.
  • Hamad Hospital in Doha, Qatar, treats premature and newborn babies, with close to 17 to 18 hundred babies passing through its doors, amounting to 10 to 11 percent of total births in Qatar, with some babies as small as 23 or 24 weeks gestation.
  • The hospital is pioneering research on neonatal encephalopathy treatment, combining a cooling mattress with magnesium sulfate, using a control group to fairly compare treatment effects.
  • Ar-Razi, a Persian physician from the 9th century, introduced the concept of a control group in medical research, conducting experiments to determine hospital locations based on air quality.
  • Ibn al-Nafis, a 13th-century Arab physician, described pulmonary circulation 400 years before William Harvey, influencing modern heart understanding, with Professor Magdi Yacoub at Harefield Hospital in the UK advancing heart treatments based on historical medical knowledge.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.