Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (known in the West as Rhazes), was a Persian polymath who lived from 865 to 925 AD. His extensive works covered various fields, including medicine, chemistry, and philosophy. Al-Razi’s approach to hygiene was pragmatic and empirical, reflecting his commitment to improving public health through practical means.
In his extensive medical encyclopaedia Al-Hawi (The Comprehensive Book) Al-Razi compiled observations and treatments for various diseases. Within its pages, Al-Razi emphasized the importance of cleanliness in preventing disease, advocating for regular hand washing and the purification of drinking water. He also discussed the importance of personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the environment in his ten-volume medical manual Kitab al-Mansuri (The Book of Medicine Dedicated to Mansur) where he advised on the use of antiseptics and the necessity of keeping wounds clean to prevent infection.
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Al-Razi was instrumental in the development of hospitals in the Islamic world. He advocated for hospitals to be equipped with clean water supplies and efficient waste disposal systems. His methods were rooted in observation and experimentation, making his recommendations on hygiene scientifically grounded for his time.
Abu Ali al-Husain ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina, commonly known as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath born in 980 AD. In his seminal work Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) he discussed the topic of hygiene extensively. Ibn Sina highlighted the significance of fresh air, advocating for the ventilation of living spaces to prevent the spread of airborne diseases. He connected dietary habits with hygiene, recommending the consumption of clean, uncontaminated food and the importance of regular exercise to maintain bodily health. Ibn Sina’s holistic approach also linked mental well-being to physical cleanliness, recognizing that a clean environment contributes to psychological health.
Both Al-Razi and Ibn Sina’s works were translated into Latin and became central texts in European medical education during the Middle Ages. Their contributions underscore the importance of hygiene as a public health measure, a principle that remains relevant in today’s fight against infectious diseases
