MEDICAL PRACTICES FROM THE ANCIENT ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND
BYZANTINE EMPIRE IN RESPONSE TO THE BLACK PLAGUE
Student’s Name
Course Name
Date
, 1
Medical Practices from the Ancient Islamic Civilization and Byzantine Empire in Response
to the Black Plague
Introduction
The Black Plague that spread across the world in the 14th century impacted the Byzantine
Empire and the Islamic world extremely poorly. The two civilizations had to deal with the same
pandemic and came up with different means of management. Using medical science, Islamic
physicians blended religion into the way they addressed plague outbreaks. The plague was
recognized by physicians as an organism that brings about total health disorders with its effects
in terms of physical and mental well-being and social well-being. Instead, the outbreak was
largely addressed by the theological response of the Byzantine Empire, and practical public
health measures were avoided. This essay will explore how Islamic physicians viewed the plague
as a total health disorder, contrasting it with the Byzantine Empire's reaction, which lacked a
comprehensive medical approach.
Total health disorders explain how diseases like the plague affect both physical health
and mental health and social systems and natural ecosystems. The understanding of complete
body health led Islamic medical experts to use religious and scientific approaches for plague
control. During the Plague of 'Amwas in 638-639 CE, Islamic scholars adopted quarantine
methods and hygiene practices and geographical isolation from infected areas through both
religious and empirical foundations. Muslim physicians utilized a complete system of care that
handled health issues across body functions and embraced both physical elements as well as
spiritual aspects and social conditions1. Byzantine Empire failed to unite medical action with
1
Dols, Michael W. “Plague in Early Islamic History.” Journal of the American Oriental Society 94, no. 3 (July 1,
1974): 371. https://doi.org/10.2307/600071.
BYZANTINE EMPIRE IN RESPONSE TO THE BLACK PLAGUE
Student’s Name
Course Name
Date
, 1
Medical Practices from the Ancient Islamic Civilization and Byzantine Empire in Response
to the Black Plague
Introduction
The Black Plague that spread across the world in the 14th century impacted the Byzantine
Empire and the Islamic world extremely poorly. The two civilizations had to deal with the same
pandemic and came up with different means of management. Using medical science, Islamic
physicians blended religion into the way they addressed plague outbreaks. The plague was
recognized by physicians as an organism that brings about total health disorders with its effects
in terms of physical and mental well-being and social well-being. Instead, the outbreak was
largely addressed by the theological response of the Byzantine Empire, and practical public
health measures were avoided. This essay will explore how Islamic physicians viewed the plague
as a total health disorder, contrasting it with the Byzantine Empire's reaction, which lacked a
comprehensive medical approach.
Total health disorders explain how diseases like the plague affect both physical health
and mental health and social systems and natural ecosystems. The understanding of complete
body health led Islamic medical experts to use religious and scientific approaches for plague
control. During the Plague of 'Amwas in 638-639 CE, Islamic scholars adopted quarantine
methods and hygiene practices and geographical isolation from infected areas through both
religious and empirical foundations. Muslim physicians utilized a complete system of care that
handled health issues across body functions and embraced both physical elements as well as
spiritual aspects and social conditions1. Byzantine Empire failed to unite medical action with
1
Dols, Michael W. “Plague in Early Islamic History.” Journal of the American Oriental Society 94, no. 3 (July 1,
1974): 371. https://doi.org/10.2307/600071.
