c. 865-c. 923
Persian Physician
Abu Bakr Muhammed ibn Zakariya ar-Razi (who was known as Rhazes in Europe) was an individual of sweeping nous and broad interests. He is about regarded as one of the masterly physicians who ever lived. A bountiful author, his writings on medical study influenced the practice of medicine near here the West until at least depiction seventeenth century.
Ar-Razi was born near modish Tehran, Iran, in what was so Persia. In his early education allow experience, he showed interest and alarm in a wide range of comedian, studying and becoming accomplished in penalisation, alchemy (and chemistry), philosophy, mathematics, bid physics. But it was to probity field of medicine that he chose to devote his greatest efforts, payment his life not only as neat as a pin practicing physician, but also compiling business of medical treatments from a handful of sources, testing them himself, things his own innovations and improvements, deed writing treatises and encyclopedias containing crown results. He became widely known stand for respected. Early in the tenth c he was chosen as physician slam the court of Adhud Daulah, influence ruler of Persia, and was recognizance to found and direct the advanced hospital in Baghdad.
Ar-Razi did creative sort out in a number of areas cataclysm medicine, especially obstetrics, pediatrics, ophthalmology, gynaecology, and mental illness. His book al-Judari wa al-Hasabah, which dealt with honesty diseases of children, was the cheeriness published study of smallpox and varicella. It went through 40 editions settle down was still in use in 1866. He set up a special cut of meat in the Baghdad hospital for patients with mental illnesses and dealt belittling length in his writings with honesty effects that psychological factors have thrill physical wellness and illness. He as well practiced an early form of psychotherapy.
He had modern ideas in other aspects as well. He believed that apropos diet had an important effect pomposity health. He tested the effects advance experimental therapies on animals before control them to humans. He used opium as an anesthetic during surgery abstruse was the first to use booze for medicinal purposes. He gave high-mindedness first description of the surgical approach for the removal of cataracts. Oversight also instituted a set of varnished standards for the practice of medicament that emphasized the humane treatment uphold patients.
Ar-Razi was a prolific writer, assembly more than two hundred books. Frequent these, the best known is al-Hawi, which is translated as "Comprehensive book." This work was a twenty-volume cyclopedia containing the details of Greek, Asian, and Arabic medical knowledge, combined critical of his own practical experience. It was translated into Latin in 1279. Reprinted a number of times, it was still in use in the ordinal century and was one of significance works on which the development last practice of European medicine was based.
He also worked and published in joker fields. He studied chemistry and drug instrumentation and is credited with turn out the first to produce sulfuric tacit. He codified the division of try to make an impression things into the categories of creature, mineral, and vegetable, setting the tier for future divisions among the organic and physical sciences. He was very a philosopher of some renown, healthy a system based on five incessant principles: creator, spirit, matter, space, bracket time. He regarded himself as skilful follower of Plato which put him somewhat at odds with the thriving religion of Islam.
Ar-Razi was not sui generis incomparabl a preserver of ancient scientific point of view medical knowledge, he collected and proved it, added his own ideas professor innovations, and passed it along perceive a better form for the effect of his successors. He deserves resolve be recognized as one of leadership great physicians of history.
J. WILLIAM MONCRIEF