|
Nowadays most people view hospitals as cold, too-clean places where sick people
go to get better. Well, our view today is VERY different than views ancient
Muslim people had. To them, a hospital was a place where people went to die.
Gradually, hospitals gained trust from people. I wrote this article to outline
some of the important (and interesting) details about ancient hospitals. Enjoy!
Caliph Harun-ul-Rashid, ruler of the Abbasid dynasty and the Muslim empire,
built the world's first free public hospital. (The Caliph was considered
the "successor" of Muhammed, chief prophet of Islam.) He had learned
of the concept of hospitals by hearing about the famous medical institution
at Jundishapur. So Harun-ul-Rashid formed a plan. He didn't know exactly how
to make a hospital, but he knew someone who could.
The Caliph invited the son of the chief physician at Jundishapur to be in charge
of the hospital. The son agreed, and with him in control, the Islamic hospital
quickly became famous. Soon there were lots of public hospitals, scattered throughout
the empire.
Unfortunately, some of the very first doctors of the ancient Islamic Empire
(and through the rest of the world) were con-men, only calling themselves "doctors"
to attract sick, wealthy customers.
Back then, doctors needed no training of medicine and cures, and no license
to "cure." They only needed the ability to call themselves doctors.
If their patients weren't cured, the well-meaning doctors would find another
occupation. The not so well-meaning ones would simply make up some sort of excuse,
and keep on making cheap money.
Fortunately, most doctors were very interested in helping and curing people.
They committed themselves to finding effective treatment, and provided a valuable
service for all sick people, often free of charge.
While many doctors provided cures completely free, others were all business.
These doctors would charge absurdly high prices, taking advantage of the poor,
sick people, and then, all too often, accidentally make the patient's situation
even worse!
Many doctors advertised their ability at curing, often in strange, even disturbing,
ways. For example, some doctors would give small products along with their treatments.
Others might even perform a surgery in front of a large crowd. Kinda gross,
huh? But that was taking quite a chance with one's career, considering if the
patient died, no one would go to that doctor anymore!
Well, I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something.
'Till next time... ciao!
Weirdo9
|
