The Abbasids / Managing Prosperity

‘The Abbasids supported and patronised medical research and medical practitioners.’

The Abbasids supported and patronised medical research and medical practitioners. Great developments in medicine were achieved: books on a variety of medical subjects were written and translated; medical experiments were conducted and documented and a number of medical instruments were designed to deal with a variety of procedures.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Fragment of a medical prescriptionHegira beginning of the 2nd century / AD 8th centuryAbbasidMuseum of Islamic Art
Cairo, Egypt
Physicians knew of the medicinal benefits of certain plants. The Aloe Vera plant is prescribed in this document, combined with other substances, to treat a number of different conditions.
Glass vessel possibly for chemistryAround hegira 3rd–4th century / AD 9th–10th centuryAbbasidNational Museum of Damascus
Damascus, Syria
Medical compounds were made by pharmacists, but dispensed by physicians as well as pharmacies. These medicines included elixirs, ointments, pills and tablets.
SpoonHegira 3rd century / AD 9th centuryAbbasidMuseum of Islamic Art
Cairo, Egypt
Medical examination of the mouth and throat was carried out with the aid of a spoon-shaped instrument like this one, used to press down the tongue. It was also used in surgery to remove the tonsils.
Surgical scalpelHegira 3rd century / AD 9th centuryAbbasidMuseum of Islamic Art
Cairo, Egypt
Abbasid surgeons knew the importance of hygiene when conducting surgical operations. Hospitals (bimaristans) were established to provide treatment and medical training.
Implement to remove teethHegira 3rd century / AD 9th centuryAbbasidMuseum of Islamic Art
Cairo, Egypt
Fustat, where this instrument was found, was a well-known centre of the medical sciences; it was here that Ahmad Ibn Tulun ordered the construction of Bimaristan al-'Alaa in 254 / 868.