How many different fields can a scientist work in? What kind of work can a physician make his name known to the world? In this article, we will tell you about Abu Bakr al-Razi , who broke new ground in the field of medicine and made his name known as the “Galena of the Arabs” . Enjoy reading.
He was born in the city of Rey in 865. He is known as ” Rhazes ” in the Western world. Razi, whose life is not well-known, was interested in medicine, literature and poetry in his youth. He is called ” Galena of the Arabs ” for his contributions to the field of medicine during the golden age of Islam .
Razi, who became interested in chemistry while working as a goldsmith in his youth, set up a laboratory for himself and began to conduct chemical experiments. Traveling for knowledge, Razi first went to the Khorasan region. He conducted research on Greek, Indian and Islamic medicine in the centers of knowledge in the Khorasan region. With his studies in this field, he reached a level of medical knowledge that no one had been able to reach since Galen. He identified smallpox and measles as two different diseases. When he returned to Rey after his travels, he was appointed as both a palace physician and a consultant for state affairs due to his achievements in medicine.
Razi, who made a name for himself in the field of medicine, went to Baghdad upon the invitation of the caliph. Here, he established a team of specialists consisting of internal medicine, neurology and ophthalmologists at the hospital where he worked. He also developed the shift system that still continues today for the continuity of health services. Razi would keep records of his examinations, diagnoses and the effects of the medication until the treatment was completed. Other physicians who wanted to benefit from Razi’s experiences followed him during his daily patient check-ups and thus became the first physician to give clinical lessons at the patient’s bedside.
Razi simultaneously conducted studies in chemistry with his studies in medicine. He was first interested in alchemy, the art of obtaining gold from various minerals and the beginning of the science of chemistry. As a result of his studies in this field, although he could not obtain precious metals, he discovered chemical substances such as glycerin, sulfuric acid, soda, nitric acid and alcohol and was considered one of the founders of modern chemistry.
Towards the end of his life, his work with chemicals affected his eyes and caused him to lose his sight. He died in Rey, the city where he was born.
Razi wrote nearly 200 works in total, primarily in medicine, logic, mathematics, astronomy, chemistry , metaphysics and theology. He was one of the first philosophers of Islamic philosophy, and his works in the field of medicine were translated first into Latin and then into other languages. His translated works were taught in medical schools in Europe for many years. He became the leading scholar of his time with his works in almost every field. He criticized many scholars, including those of the ancient period and his own time, with the ideas he put forward.
