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Top 10 Interesting Facts About Al Rhazi

Al Rhazi who was a Persian physician made a great contribution to the medical field. He was born in Al-Ray City near Terah in 865 CE. He wrote books that gave strong insights and a great influence on the world. His discoveries and observations were almost in every aspect of medicine. He was also known as Rhazes in the West.

This article can barely give justice to the contribution of this great scholar and philosopher. Here are some top 10 interesting facts about Al Rhazi.

1 He is considered one of the most important figures in Medicine

He wrote over 200 works more of them being about medicine and the others covering different topics such as philosophy, theology, mathematics astronomy and alchemy.

Through translation, his work was made known among Medieval European medical practitioners. His works on 鈥淎 General book on therapy and Al 鈥揗ansuri, namely 鈥淥n Surgery鈥� became part of the medical curriculum in western universities. Edward Granville Brown considered him “The greatest and most original of all Muslim physicians and one of the most prolific as an author鈥�.

2 He was kind

Al Rhazi despite being a popular physician was also a kind man. He treated poor patients who had nothing for free. He even wrote a handy medical guide for them named “For those who have no physician present”.

It is also said that he was a man who was heavily distressed in witnessing both animals and man in pain. This is one of the reasons why his interest in medicine grew stronger and stronger. He viewed medical discipline as a goal of curing physical and spiritual illnesses in both man and beast.

3 He was the first to distinguish between smallpox and measles

Al Rhazi was the first to clinically distinguish between smallpox and measles in the history of medicine. He recognised that the two were separate diseases. His observations and conclusions were important in the genesis of ontologic diseases.

His discovery was a critical first step to the eradication of smallpox. The concept that a single disease could alter a person so that they become resistant to that disease in future was a new discovery to human understanding of diseases at that time.

4 Known as Father of Paediatrics

He had a great achievement in the diseases of children during the mediaeval period. He performed his role as a physician of children and a paediatric scholar with much honour. Rhazes was also a pioneer in the field of paediatric neurosurgery. He dealt with the concept of hydrocephalus.

In his book 鈥淟iber continens” he deals with head-related problems including hydrocephalus. During the Islamic golden period, he greatly contributed to the field of paediatrics and authored the first treaties. He also underlined removing bone fragments in depressed and separated fractures.

5 He still Lives on

Rhazes birthday is celebrated in Iran Annually on the 27^th of August. This is the national Iranian Pharmaceuticals day and they remember him for his great contribution to the field of chemistry and pharmacy. In addition, since 1995, Razi Biomedical Research Festival is held in Iran every year. This festival is the highest in Iran and distinguished biomedical researchers are awarded by the Iranian President.

Apart from the festivals, Rhazi’s work still leaves on and contributes largely to not only the field of medicine but also other disciplines. It鈥檚 true what they say, Legends never die.

6 He loved to show intellectuality

His gifted knowledge in medicine allowed him to serve as the head physician in the city town. AL Rhazi when tasked by the chief minister of Al Muktafi, named Adhud Al Daullah to choose where a new hospital will be constructed, he ordered that sacks of fresh meat be bought in. He then proceeded to hang the meat in various areas around the city, and where the meat rots the slowest is where the new hospital would be constricted. He stated that the air was cleaner and healthier there.

7 Served as Chief physicians in Baghdad and Ray hospital

He was appointed as director of the hospital of his hometown Al Rayy during the reign of Mansur Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ahmed Ibn Asad of the samanian dynasty. His gift and skills in medicine attracted different people all over the world and not only in Iran. His fame went ahead of him to the capital of the Abbasids.

He was called upon by Caliph Al Muktafi to be the chief director of the largest hospital in Baghdad. He is attributed with a remarkable method of doing things and solving problems that patient鈥檚 faced.

8 Was a teacher

Rhazi was a teacher of medicine. After the death of Caliph Al Muktufu in 907, He returned to his home town, AL ray and dedicated most of his time to teaching. Interested individuals all around the world came seeking his knowledge on medicine. He was the one in charge of the hospital and it is said that he always had a circle of students around him.

When a patient came in with an issue or problem, the problem was passed to the students in the 鈥淔irst class鈥�. If they could not answer, then it was passed to students in the 鈥渟econd circle鈥� and so on. If all failed to provide a solution it will be passed to Al Rhazi who gave the final answer.

9 Ali Ibn Sahl Rabban was his mentor

His teacher in medicine was Ali Ibn Sahl Rabban, a physician and philosopher. Ali Rabban was born to a Jewish family but later converted to Islam during the rule of Abbasid Caliph Al Mutasim who took him into the service of the court.

Ali Rabban continued serving under the Caliph Al Mutawakkil. Al Rhazi studied medicine and probably also philosophy with Ali Ibn Rabban. His interest in spiritual philosophy can be traced back to this master. Rhazi quickly become famous and exceeded his teacher.

10 Eye discovery

He became the very first human physician to recognize the reaction of the eye pupil to light. This discovery was huge in the medical field.

At the age of thirty, he stopped his work and experiments in alchemy. This was because of eye irritation by a chemical compound he was exposed to. He is credited with the discovery of sulphuric acid and ethanol. Just one of the few of his many discoveries in Alchemy.