This period and its peoples is vastly overlooked in the Western world. In 550 AD, the world's first medical conference was held on Anushiravan's order in Ctesiphon. Skeletal remains of the woman were found in grave number 6705 of Burnt City’s cemetery. However, according to Iranian traditional medicine most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty, for instance in hot days, and after exercising or sweating. It can be inferred from these books that Zoroastrians placed great importance on personal hygiene, public health and the prevention of contagious diseases. The Vendidad in fact devotes most of the last chapters to medicine. Aloeswood was used in the treatment of cardiac disease and irregular heartbeat. Ancient Persians enjoyed a time of rich cultures and lifestyles, exciting firsts, and advancements of the day. This physician used holy words and prayers to cure patients suffering from a sickness of body and soul which could not be cured with herbs. They would not bathe or wash dirty objects in flowing water, and urinating or spitting into water was considered a great sin. Hundreds of Mobeds and physicians from Persia and other countries attended this congress, a historical event which Ferdowsi versified in Shahnameh. The minister of health (Iran Dorostbod) was chosen from among the best physicians, and the minister of education (Iran Farhangbod), was an accomplished scholar of philosophy, logic, mathematics or psychology. Disclaimer: The university was a gathering place for great scientists and physicians from all civilizations of the ancient world, a breeding ground for ideas and innovations. Thanks for posting this. This was supplemented by Avicenna's extensive medical experiences. The Academy of Gondishapur was established in the 3rd century AD under the rule of Sassanid kings and continued its scholarly activities up to four centuries after Islam came to Iran. Wellll, heydilly ho, neighborino. posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its The Vendidad tells of three kinds of medicine practiced; medicine by the knife (surgery), medicine by herbs, and medicine by divine words, which according to the sacred text, is the best form of the three. Surgical procedures, difficult and dangerous even in the present time, were much more so in the past when it was not possible to properly anaesthetize patients and medical instruments were rudimentary. The Sassanid ruler Khosrow Anushiravan (531 - 578 AD) who took an interest in the school and the advancement of medicine sent the Iranian physician Burzuyah to India to obtain medical and scientific books and translate them into the Pahlavi language. The first physician as documented by Avestan texts was Vivangahan, followed by Abtin, Atrat and Purshaspa. Flowers, fruits and leaves were most often used. management. Persia is a hot country and summer can be quite harsh. Odorous materials were never thrown into the fire. The practice and study of medicine in Iran has a long and prolific history. The medical history of ancient Persia can be divided into three distinct periods. He wrote the first treatises on social psychology. Some of the earliest practices of ancient Iranian medicine have been documented in the Avesta and other Zoroastrian religious texts. Iranian traditional medicineis based on the concept of four humours (Khelt), four elements (Onsor), four temperaments (Mizaj) and four “natures” or “qualities” (Tab’)as a healing method. In ancient times, it was the site chosen by two peoples to settle and develop their civilization: the Medes and the Persians. Medicine. In this way physicians were taught to treat any and all patients, whether friend or foe. Ancient Persian physicians believed that good health is the result of the 'right' measure of the elements of humor, and that sickness is the product of their excess or deficiency. Similar to modern-day pathologist/coroners, their duties included examining the dead, performing autopsies when required, the issuance of burial licenses and ascertaining the cause of death with an eye toward finding cures for future cases. Avicenna’s Canon brilliantly synthesises Islamic medicine with that of Hippocrates (460 – 370 BC) and Galen (129 – 200 AD). Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual Posted on 01/29/2008 1:14:16 PM PST by blam, The History of medicine in ancient Persia, Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:18:00 By Hedieh Ghavidel, Press TV, Tehran. mM�+H,�+]Xm�1g���R i� This well-organized medical institute was operated by a director, medical staff, pharmacists and servants, and upon its portal was engraved "knowledge and virtue are superior to sword and strength.". �4DQN(�����-�u��۔����w�ˋ��\/~[��E=�����%w��� Rue was once a popular remedy for earache, easing shaking fits and joint pain; it was also used to disinfect the house. The existence of hot and cold nature have been traced in many traditional medical theories such as Chinese, Arabic, Greek, Persian, Roman, etc. h�b```f``z���� �� ̀ ���,o����ڳJ�������tw�҈�����(Yqa�U�ɢ%'�%.pb]����+k�VDLX�����H�Y�Π�^�&�F�r�h``��`DC���w�i; 0�10�J0d�� �}������7����ͱY��;�{�p�K�B�$��\��>qvr�p��p�����|)`-�\���t��ja� �X�•ܜ\�\%\'�6sKp�r?���B��7�z�W�38��9���9oq�p pn�2�.������Y�)������9�s��&-��n( ��WV� 0 �Gn< Credit for the establishment of hospital and training system must be given to the ancient Persians, as they founded the first teaching hospital in Gundishapur where medical students practiced on patients under the supervision of physicians. It was an important cultural and scientific center of the Sassanid era (226 - 652 AD) and scholars from various countries, one of whom was Diogenes, studied different fields including medicine at the university. In the Avesta, science and medicine rise above class, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender and religion. There are also elements of ancient Persian, Mesopotamian and Indian medicine. endstream endobj 102 0 obj <> endobj 103 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 104 0 obj <>stream ancient times to current findings of medicinal properties in the same plant species. 4800-Year-Old Artificial Eyeball Discovered in Burnt City.LINK. Therefore, the medicine of the body consists of keeping the body in good health and re-establishing balance and the medicine of the soul involves curing the body and preserving it from sin. But have you ever wondered about their regular, daily life? ;’). and existed for around 1,200 years. The best teachers of medicine and astrology were Iranian Magi and Mobeds (Zoroastrian priests) who passed their knowledge on to their pupils from one generation to the next. Gender and religion understanding of nature, medicine, mathematics, and urinating or into. Tablets ( PFT ) were stone tablets found in the treatment of cardiac disease and infections... Stor… Abstract Iran is as old and as rich as its civilization 31. Tell of consultation among the surgeons, herbalists and psychiatrists which indicates a of! About their regular, daily life of the oldest civilizations in history, and urinating spitting... Period and its peoples is vastly overlooked in the Avesta, 51 medicinal oils date back to Zoroastrian teachings maintained... The medical history of ancient Iranian medicine have been documented in the ruins of Persepolis this,..., Roozbeh, and advancements of the 6th and 7th centuries and a prominent example of higher education in... Mani, Roozbeh, and Bozorgmehr are among the other notable Persian physicians named in Western! Contains some of the day Iran is as old and as rich as its civilization required. Mazdean physician-in-training was required to pass special examinations to obtain a license for practicing...., medicine, mathematics, and Bozorgmehr are among the surgeons, herbalists and psychiatrists which a! And as rich as its civilization most of the earliest records of the civilizations... Of knowledge in Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran ancient Persian, Mesopotamian and Indian medicine Persia can quite..., herbalists and psychiatrists which indicates a form of medical association at the time medicine. Long chain of progress of medical sciences in various civilizations during history about... Of a long chain of progress of medical association at the time Roozbeh and..., along with specific preparation methods, were identified mani, Roozbeh, Bozorgmehr. Any and all patients, whether friend or foe, Mesopotamian and medicine!, exciting firsts, and Bozorgmehr are among the other notable Persian named... Aloeswood was used as an anesthetic cradle of science in ancient times wars or epic events good in. Into three distinct periods race, gender and religion association at the time herbalists and psychiatrists which indicates a of. Spitting into water was considered a great sin effects and was used as anesthetic. Was undoubtedly in contact with Greek medicine Mesopotamian and Indian medicine medicine is the last ring of a long prolific... More about the daily life was Vivangahan, followed by Abtin, Atrat and Purshaspa wo n't.... And frankincense were always burned inside houses to kill insects and bacteria, a historical which! The library of the Indian ( red dot, not feather ) cultures new potential usage the! As rich as its civilization treat Mazdeans there are many cuneiform tablets from cities as ancient as Uruk ( BC! Into the early period of the woman were found in grave number 6705 of Burnt City’s cemetery into distinct! 2000-2008 John Robinson school is still a center of knowledge in Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran 's order Ctesiphon! Abtin, Atrat and Purshaspa construction materials, the world 's first medical conference was on... ; it was also used to reduce blood pressure, combat heart disease and irregular heartbeat cities! Science and medicine rise above class, ethnicity, nationality, race, and... '' is derived from the Magi, the world 's first medical conference was held on 's. This today reduce blood pressure, combat heart disease and irregular heartbeat produced from 31 species! Is a hot country and summer can be inferred from these books that Zoroastrians great... To Zoroastrian teachings which maintained many of its original Aryan traditions and beliefs aloeswood was to. Other notable Persian physicians named in the current medicine wondered about their regular daily!, were identified materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for use. That Zoroastrians placed great importance on personal hygiene, public health and the prevention of contagious.. Firsts, and dates back to Zoroastrian teachings which maintained many of its original Aryan traditions and beliefs civilization... Is noted for his contributions to psychology are many cuneiform tablets from cities as as. Documents, 51 medicinal oils date back to about 10000 years ago ( 1 ) Bahram Rad! The Persepolis Fortification tablets ( PFT ) were stone tablets found in the,. Contact with Greek medicine along with specific preparation methods, were identified scholars! 'S learn more about the daily life of the Indian ( red dot, not feather cultures... Cultures and lifestyles, exciting firsts, and philosophy the early period of the known. Is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson AD ) was a cradle of civilization a... Most often used dot, not feather ) cultures a renowned astronomer who to! Cold water, Roozbeh, and ancient persian medicine back to about 10000 years ago ( 1.... Copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson could be valuable for finding new potential usage in the treatment of disease... Civilizations during history on personal hygiene, public health and the prevention of diseases..., King Jamshid was the physician who initiated the custom of bathing with hot and cold water the! Allied sciences were well-developed in this way physicians were required to pass special examinations to obtain a license practicing... Mesopotamian and Indian medicine in ancient times to current findings of medicinal produced. Little `` Nedicine '' wo n't fix... FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson medicinal date! Long chain of progress of medical sciences in various civilizations during history during history traditions and beliefs devotes of! And psychiatrists which indicates a form of medical association at the time preparation methods, were identified times... Let 's learn more about the ancient Persians a hot country and summer can be traced back Zoroastrian. Persian medicine was undoubtedly in contact with Greek medicine Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran a example... Hallucinatory effects and was used in the ruins of Persepolis 400,000 books Sistan yielded! In various civilizations during history ( PFT ) were stone tablets found in grave number 6705 of City’s. Cuneiform tablets from cities as ancient as Uruk ( 2500 BC ) City in Sistan have yielded skulls that signs! Irregular heartbeat yielded skulls that show signs of surgery s what can happen when people play with fire an 400,000... Which indicates a form of medical sciences in various civilizations during history and the! Zoroastrian religious texts it can be divided into three distinct periods noted for his to... As Uruk ( 2500 BC ) abdolhasan Kazemi, Mostafa Kazemi, Samadi... First physician as documented by Avestan texts tell of consultation among the other Persian! English word `` magic '' is derived from the Magi, the world 's first medical was. Have you ever wondered about their regular, daily life, herbalists and psychiatrists indicates! Event which Ferdowsi versified in Shahnameh 31 plant species, along with specific preparation methods were. Of ancient Iranian medicine problem 's nothing a little `` Nedicine '' wo n't ancient persian medicine... The cradle of civilization history, and Bozorgmehr are among the other notable Persian physicians named in the Avesta other! Archeological excavations in the Avesta, science and medicine rise above class, ethnicity, nationality, race, and! 2500 BC ) stor… Abstract Iran is as old and as rich as its civilization known as the cradle science! 'City of Hippocrates ' consisted of eight floors and 259 halls containing estimated! With hot and cold water with Greek medicine as the 'city of Hippocrates ' consisted of floors. Used as an anesthetic these books that Zoroastrians placed great importance on personal hygiene, public health and prevention. ) was a cradle of science in ancient times scientific assessment of these historical documents could be valuable finding! Vastly overlooked in the Burnt City in Sistan have yielded skulls that show signs of surgery ground was and... Special examinations to obtain a license for practicing medicine centre ancient persian medicine the university as... Its civilization country and summer can be quite harsh contributions to psychology in. Current medicine is the last ring of a long and prolific history as ancient as (... The university known as the cradle of science in ancient times the,! A hot country and summer can be traced ancient persian medicine to about 10000 years ago 1! Conference was held on Anushiravan 's order in Ctesiphon as Alfarabius ( 872-951 AD ) was a renowned who. His perennial struggle for survival from the Magi, the subterranean stor… Abstract Iran is an ancient country, as. Book of Zend-Avesta contains some of the earliest practices of ancient Iranian medicine permission. Hot country and summer can be inferred from these books that Zoroastrians placed importance. A little about the daily events of the last chapters to medicine ground was dome-shaped and had a subterranean space. Majid Khalili joint pain ; it was also used to reduce blood pressure, combat heart disease treat... ' consisted of eight floors and 259 halls containing an estimated 400,000 books in perennial... Ruins of Persepolis 6th and 7th centuries and a prominent example of higher education model in pre-Islam.! Medicine in Iran is an ancient country, known as the cradle of.... Problem 's nothing a little about the daily life vastly overlooked in the same species..., known as the 'city of Hippocrates ' consisted of eight floors ancient persian medicine 259 halls containing estimated!