A(l)Razy [Rhazes] (c842 - c932 AD)

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/18-1-11732

In the words Sarton, A(l)Razy was perhaps the greatest clinician of all times. Originally from Rayy, he became the Chief Physician of the famous Baghdad Hospital.

His contributions in the basic sciences include his description of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the reaction of the pupil to light, the conditioned reflex theory, congenital contagion, mercurial ointment and the investigation of mercurial purgatives.

In clinical medicine he was the first to differentiale between measles and small pox; he described brain abscess following otitis, incompetence of the aortic valve, neuropathic bladder due to spinal cord tumor, allergic rhinitis and scrotal gangrene.

In management, he was the first to mention non-metallic catheters, the use of catgut in surgical operations, patellectomy for comminuted fractures of the patella and hot moist compresses to cover the infestines in abdominal surgery.

He left 237 works which include the following:

AlKinnash alFakhir

The book on small pox and measles translated into Latin at least 6 times, the latest being the Gottingen edilion of 1781; also into Greek, French, English and Persian.

Medical Treatise "al Mansury" (Liber Almansoris) went into at least 10 Latin editions - was still part of the medical curriculum of the University of Frankfurt in 1588.

A medical encyclopedia "AlHawy" (Continens) was translated into Latin in 1280 and had at least 5 Latin editions.

Read at the IMA Convention on July 6, 1985, Niagara Falls, N. Y.