Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine
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Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

ishim.net
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The Tangiers School of Medicine and its Physicians: A Forgotten Initiative of Medical Education Reform in Morocco (1886-1904)(x) Francisco Javier MARTÍNEZ-ANTONIO Image 1. A portrait of Dr. Felipe Óvilo Canales dressed in Moroccan fashion. Source: La Ilustración Española y Americana, XXXVIII (1894), IX. Image 2. Photograph of the lecture room of the Tangiers School of Medicine (1892) Source: Archivo de la Misión franciscana en Tánger ISHIM 2011-2012 87

Islamic Medicine and Future Western Biomedicine: Potential Areas of Integration Arthur SANIOTIS Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Social Anthropology The University of Adelaide e-mail: saniotis@yahoo.co.uk.es Summary While the evolution and growth of Western biomedicine has been influenced by Islamic medicine, Islamic medicine in the West is still viewed as an artefact of a former golden Islamic age. Islamic medicine is a holistic system which views the human being as comprising biological, psychological and spiritual elements. Any healing must consider these human dimensions. My paper explores the historical and theoretical elements of Islamic medicine and potential areas of integration with future Western biomedicine. Key Words: Medicine, Western Biomedicine, Integration Introduction Over the last two decades there has been increasing interest in Islamic medicine (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14). Many of these authors examine the historical, philosophical and sociological elements of Islamic medicine as a significant branch of Islamic science. Islamic medicine is a body of medical knowledge and practice which began in the 8 th century within and which is currently being practiced by Muslim physicians in Islamic and Western countries. Elkadi states that Islamic medicine is “The most up-to-date medical science and technology combined and conforming with the Divine teachings of Islam” (15). Islamic medicine incorporates modern medical technologies and techniques in the service of healing. While Islamic medicine provides a holistic medical system, Muslim physicians acknowledge that the ultimate cure for all disease comes from Allah (16). As I will show, Islamic medicine developed into a body of medical knowledge over centuries. However, it must not be conflated with Prophetic medicine which (Tibb an-nabawi), which was developed during the life time of the Prophet Muhammad and which discusses dietary and hygiene practices, herbal lore and exercise regimes. As a healing science Islamic medicine offers peculiar insights into the human condition and its relationship to health and illness. While Islamic medicine is still being practiced in the Muslim world it is tempting to wonder to what extent Islamic medicine may inform future Western biomedicine. This is an important question due to the advent of new diseases in the 21 st century and increasing vectors and deleterious bacteria as a consequence of climate change that will have major public health impacts (17) (18) (19) (20). Although, the philosophical tenets of Islamic medicine and Western biomedicine differ, I argue, that there are common points of meeting between the two systems which may lead to their possible integration in the future. I also contend that the unique religious tenets which ground Islamic medicine such as the Tawhid (Divine Unity), may act to further refine the scope of future Western biomedicine. This paper is organised in three sections. The first section provides a historical overview of Islamic medicine, its development in the Islamic world, and some of its noted adherents. The second section discusses the notion of Tawhid as a central concept for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of Islamic medicine. Tawhid promotes an understanding of the human body as a miniature of the cosmos. With this understanding Islamic medicine views the human being as a composite of psycho-physical-spiritual elements. The third section will examine possible areas of future integration between Islamic medicine and Western biomedicine. It will also present a case for the viability of non-local mind techniques which are part of the Islamic medical therapy. ISHIM 2011-2012 87

The Tangiers School <strong>of</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> and its Physicians: A Forgotten<br />

Initiative <strong>of</strong> Medical Education Re<strong>for</strong>m in Morocco (1886-1904)(x)<br />

Francisco Javier MARTÍNEZ-ANTONIO<br />

Image 1. A portrait <strong>of</strong> Dr. Felipe Óvilo Canales dressed in Moroccan fashion.<br />

Source: La Ilustración Española y Americana, XXXVIII (1894), IX.<br />

Image 2. Photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lecture room <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tangiers School <strong>of</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> (1892)<br />

Source: Archivo de la Misión franciscana en Tánger<br />

ISHIM 2011-2012<br />

87

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