The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 11)
Avicenna’s (Ibn Sina) Innovations in Medicine
Avicenna was the first person to treat patients using urine, sputum, and pulse tests. He was the first to prescribe a test for meningitis, which is the inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
He was also the first to diagnose and differentiate paralysis caused by external factors. He identified strokes as a result of high blood pressure.
He made various discoveries in the field of inflammation of the membranes of the brain and its treatment methods. Avicenna diagnosed many skin diseases and was able to treat and cure them. He distinguished pneumonia from acute brain inflammation (dizziness).
Avicenna differentiated between colic and kidney disease and prescribed specific treatments for each. He was able to diagnose and prescribe treatments for conditions such as urinary fistulas, puerperal fever, and infertility.
Avicenna was also among the first to raise the issue of hereditary traits, which we now understand to be related to DNA. He demonstrated that the center of human external senses, such as vision, hearing, and taste, lies in the human brain, providing evidence that internal factors affect the human body.
Dr. Abdullah Ali Al-Defah writes: “Many Western scholars claim that Muslims did not have a role or influence in the field of anatomy. They argue that this science is not permissible according to Islamic law; however, when we examine Avicenna’s innovations in this field, we find that he was able to explain Galen’s contributions to anatomy clearly and technically, as can only be done by someone who has performed an autopsy. He also mentioned various medical innovations and theories in the Book Al-Qanun, indicating that he paid special attention to the science of anatomy.”
Amin Khairullah, an Arab writer, remarked: “When we consider Ibn Sina’s views on anatomy, we must concede that he was practically a master in this field.”
Avicenna’s (Ibn Sina) Writings
Avicenna wrote and compiled nearly 250 articles and books across various fields, including medicine, philosophy, logic, and ethics. One of his most famous works is the book “Al-Qanun fi al-Tebb,” which is considered a complete and comprehensive text on the philosophy of medicine, diseases, and treatments. This book has been translated into multiple languages and has been taught in various universities and colleges around the world.
This book consists of five parts; the first part contains a division of the well-known diseases of that time and outlines their causes. The second part describes the types of medicines, along with their characteristics and effects on diseases. From these explanations, it is clear that each part of this book conveys a specific type of knowledge. This book was translated into various Latin languages from the 15th to the early 16th centuries and was published in cities such as Milan, Italy, and in Belgium. It was also translated into Hebrew between the 17th and 19th centuries and was published in France, Germany, and England. This book became the foundation from which the most important medical schools in Europe drew their teachings.
After a lifetime of acquiring knowledge and contributing to the Islamic community, Avicenna died in 428 AH in the city of Hamadan, which is located in present-day Iran.
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