United States or Barbados ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


Between the Alexandrians and the early days of the School of Salernum we have no record of systematic dissections of the human body. It is even doubtful if these were permitted at Salernum. Neuburger states that the instructions of Frederick II as to dissections were merely nominal.

Withington: Medical History, London, 1894, pp. 151-152. Neuburger: History of Medicine, Vol. I, pp. 368-369. A Latin version was printed in 1472 and there are many later editions, the last in 1663. Avicenna was not only a successful writer, but the prototype of the successful physician who was at the same time statesman, teacher, philosopher and literary man.

The nursing was admirable and no stint was made of drugs and appliances; each patient was provided with means upon leaving so that he should not require immediately to undertake heavy work." Neuburger: History of Medicine, Vol. 1, p. 378. It was in the domain of chemistry that the Arabs made the greatest advances.

The description of it by Makrizi, quoted by Neuburger, reads like that of a twentieth century institution with hospital units. "I have founded this institution for my equals and for those beneath me, it is intended for rulers and subjects, for soldiers and for the emir, for great and small, freemen and slaves, men and women."

This lengthy and exhausting preparation, partly dietetic, partly suggestive, was accompanied by a solemn service of prayer and sacrifice, whose symbolism tended highly to excite the imagination." Caton: Temples and Ritual of Asklepios, 2d ed., London, 1900. Max Neuburger: History of Medicine, English translation, Oxford, 1910, p. 94.

As Neuburger briefly summarizes: "The commands concern prophylaxis and suppression of epidemics, suppression of venereal disease and prostitution, care of the skin, baths, food, housing and clothing, regulation of labour, sexual life, discipline of the people, etc. Neuburger: History of Medicine, Oxford University Press, 1910, Vol. I, p. 38.