Het artsenberoep in het Middeleeuwse Arabische discours

Abstract

The medical profession in the medieval Arabic conversation In the medieval Arabic culture the medical profession was discussed in several ways. Major themes were: the image of the physician, with strong roots in the Greek medical ethics; the rivalry between physicians often showing itself in the accusation of quackery; the competition with paramedics; the stupidity or unwillingness of patients; the medical success story in which the physician has almost super natural powers. Most of these elements are discussed along with the history of a famous family of physicians, the Bukhtîshû, who served as court-physicians to many of the Abbasidic caliphs.