The History of the Islamic Golden Age

History of the Islamic Golden Age is a hugely absorbing lecture about the medical knowledge that originated during the Islamic Golden Age- highlighting the contribution of extraordinary scholars on whose knowledge modern medicine is based: Al- Razi and Ibn Sina.

Delivered clearly and engagingly, the viewer becomes a student.

We learn that Al Razi studied in Baghdad- the texts of Hypocrates and Galen, whose theory of the four humours he challenged and he even mentioned inflammability- a function of the human body that mainstream medicine is only now beginning to pay close attention to.

He developed key concepts such as morality of medicine- the idea of the doctor as role model to their patients,

advocated for the idea of the family doctor as safer and more effective, and was first to deal with specifity of what we know today as paediatrics.

We learn about Canon of Medicine written by Ibn Sina, was used by European Universities for centuries, and that he carried out groundbreaking research in psychiatric conditions, and was first to lay out existence of air borne diseases

Visually the lecture is great for deep learning, containing dates, images of the figures being talked about and maps.

The lecture's love of the subject matter shines through in an understanded, English style.

The lecture does contain a glaring omission: the contribution of women is conspicuously absent.

Nevertheless, this eye opening short lecture should be at both medical and history courses the world over, as it's coverage of key contributions that are ignored by Western teaching is in itself encouraging of a push for  wider inclusion.