Introduction
The society has witnessed outstanding individuals over time. This is evident in the life of Ibn Sina whose contributions in the field of science and medicine are admirable. His influential work the Canon of Medicine is considered by many as the basis for western medicine. The birth of Ibn Sina occurred in Bukhara, in 980. His father worked for the government as a tax collector. This suggests that he came from a well off background. His father was an intellect, and this could have been influential on the future of Ibn Sina. Since an early age, he impressed with his talents whereby he memorized the Koran and several poem. His intelligence was further observed when he was aged 15, whereby, the brilliant student taught himself medicine (Simonis and Hertzenberg 122). He healed the sick Samanind leader a development that enabled him to be accepted in the palace. This period was critical in the development of his knowledge in various subjects since he had access to the palace library. During the period, he gained knowledge on poetry, mathematics, Greek philosophy and law. He also mastered Aristotle’s logic and concepts of metaphysics at this early age. His knowledge in these fields earned him prestigious positions among the rulers. In addition, he was able to publish 250 works on different subjects. Despite the brilliance of Ibn Sina in a variety of fields, his contribution in medicine influenced western medicine significantly.
The legacy of Ibn Sina can be based on his contribution in various fields. From an early age, Ibn Sina showed an understanding for several complex concepts and subjects. This influenced his status as one the most influential scientist and philosopher from the Islamic world whereby his ideas were adopted in the western culture. In order to understand the contributions of Ibn Sina, it is crucial to analyze his life and intellectual development. Despite the various contributions by the scientist in various fields, his legacy can be attributed to his encyclopedia Canon of Medicine whereby the contents were adopted widely and translated in several languages including Hebrew, Latin and Arabic (Simonis and Hertzenberg 122). This literature influenced the practice of medicine in Europe and the east for more than six centuries. The influential author explored various concepts of medicine in a detailed and persuasive manner. The thoughts of the scientist presented in the encyclopedia have interested physicians and has been the topic for many arguments. The book documented diagnoses for diseases, which have affected humans throughout history. The impressive work evident in the publication and his experience as a jurist was helpful in his discussions and arguments. The book explored many branches in the science of medicine in an accurate and convincing manner making it influential in the development of medicine.
The book by Ibn Sina included five books. In the first book, he writes about the basics of medicine. In this approach, he outlined the basic steps, which can be observed in order to prevent diseases and the causes for the same. In the first book, he writes about the importance of hygiene and rules, which individuals should observe in order to have good health (Simmons 380). In addition, Ibn Sina also explores several medical procedures, which include bloodletting and cautery. In the second book, he writes about the available drugs at the time. In this segment, the properties and uses of these drugs are documented in a detailed manner. The third segment of the encyclopedia documents the diseases, which affect humans. Ibn Sina covered the whole body and began with the diseases, which effect complex organs like the brain to the simple pains individuals experience in their joints. The detailed approach of Ibn Sina is evident with his segment on nail diseases experienced by individuals. The wide knowledge of Ibn Sina in medicine is evident in the fourth book, where he writes on pathology. He explores various contagious diseases, which were experienced by humans at the time. In addition, he explored fevers, wounds, fractures and pustules. The last book was on compound drugs (Simmons 380). These drugs included tablets, pastes and other medications, which included cathartics and electuaries. The significance of the account is evident since the book is attributed to be the first accurate account of meningitis. In addition, Ibn Sina identifies and distinguishes two different categories of jaundice.
The ideas Ibn Sina in his approach to medicine appears to combine the work of Hippocrates and Galen (Simonis and Hertzenberg 122). His understanding of these brilliant minds and his individual interpretations and brilliance made him an influential mind in the development of medicine. The influence of his works is evident in the reality that his works were studied in western universities despite his origins being from the east. This achievement is another achievement by Ibn Sina. He appeared to bridge the east with Europe using his knowledge and skills in medicine. His works brought the western culture with the Islamic viewpoint together in order to improve the provision of healthcare for the society. In addition, his philosophical viewpoints were also adopted by Christians whereby Saint Augustine was influenced by the thoughts of Ibn Sina consequently influencing the Franciscan monks and their philosophies (Simonis and Hertzenberg 122). This means that the ideas of Ibn Sina were adopted by western thinkers and to some extant influenced the western culture.
Prior to the publication of the Canon, Ibn Sina showed promise as an intellectual at an early age. For instance, he stated that medicine was easy and learned the difficult theories of Aristotle in the field of metaphysics. In addition, he impressed the Samanind rulers with his healing skills actions that contributed to his legacy. Despite the political unrest and change of leadership, which was experienced in Samanind, he retained his influence in the new era. He retained his influence at the court even after the publication of the Canon, and the last years were spent as a ruler, scientific counselor and physician in Isfahan. However, after he suffered colic illness, he died due to an ulcer complication in 1037 (Simmons 381). The irony in his death was that he appeared to be a victim of over dosage in his use of opium. This is despite his efforts to determine the rules for dosage in his earlier works. It is evident that Ibn Sina lived an influential life and bridged the eastern and European intellect through his contributions in medicine and philosophy.
Conclusion
Ibn Sina was an influential scientist and a remarkable scholar from the Islamic world. His contribution in medicine was instrumental in shaping western medicine. His publication Canon of Medicine provided a detailed account of medical information, which influenced western scholars for centuries. In addition, other scholarly contributions from Ibn Sina were also significant in the development of knowledge in the society.
Work Cited
Simonis, Doris A, and Caroline Hertzenberg. Scientists, Mathematicians, and Inventors: Lives and Legacies : an Encyclopedia of People Who Have Changed the World. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 1999. Print.
Simmons, John G. Doctors and Discoveries: Lives That Created Today’s Medicine. Boston [u.a.: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Print.
