COMENIUS: Muslim surgery

As my classmate said before the Muslims conquered Hispania in the 8th century and remained here for eight centuries up to the 15^th century.

Apart from other fields of study such as mathematics and chemistry, medicine was the science that attracted most to Muslims. Muslim doctors played a major role in western medical science. The most important progress was made in the field of surgery.

The most outstanding Muslim surgeon was  Qasim Khalaf Ben  Abbas (Abucassis)

As-salamu alaykum (Peace be with you): My name is Qasim Khalaf Ben  Abbas (Abucassis). I was born in Cordoba and I died in the year 1107. People say I am the most outstanding Muslim surgeon. My works were a source of inspiration for all surgeons for centuries and were translated into Latin.

As-salamu alaykum: My name is Ibn Zohar. My therapy was based upon the natural powers of the human body for selfcure. I also introduced the use of the scientific method in the medical studies. I know how to cure dislocations and fractures.

As-salamu alaykum (Peace be with you): My name is Averroes. I was born in Cordoba in 1126. I wrote a treatise about antidotes for poisons and temperature. My main work “Kulliyet” was published in the 15^th century in several European countries.

As-salamu alaykum: My name is Al Mahusin. I undertook the first surgery operation to remove a cataract in the year 1256. He also invented the hollow needle.

Old Muslim: Oh, doctor. I can´t see well. Can you help me?

Doctor: Of course, sit down , please. ..Mmm well, your problem is that you have got cataracts in both eyes.

Old Muslim: Oh no, Does it mean that I will be blind in a short time?

Doctor: No, because I can remove them. But you have to be operated on. I know how to do it.

Old Muslim: Ok.   …(syringe) Oh, what is that?

Doctor: It is a hollow needle. I have to give you an injection. You need some anaesthetic.

Old Muslim: Very well, I trust you, you are a great doctor, Al Mahusin.

  (operation..)

Old Muslim: Oh, now I can see very well. Thank you doctor, you are a genius.

COMENIUS: the Renaissance guitar

The guitar's roots are also in Spain. It is thought to have been invented by the people of Malaga. This early instrument was a "four course" guitar.(maqueta) The first guitars were very small, and had four pair of strings. Each pair was call a course.
During the Renaissance it was not considered a serious instrument. Eventually, the guitar began to attract players, more publications and music began to appear.

During the During the Baroque period, a fifth course was added and  more music became available.

Now we are going to listen to a melody played with a four course guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35fk2v-Pu1E

COMENIUS: the harquebus

In the 15^th century the Spanish invented the arquebus
The arquebus /ˈɑrkɨbʌs/ is a low-velocity firearm. It was used in the 15th to 17th centuries. It was light and easy to carry. It is a forerunner of the rifle.

The arquebus was used against enemies who were often partially or fully protected by steel-plate armour (coraza).

This is a drawing of a soldier firing a harquebus.(drawing)

            At  the time when the arquebus was invented, the southern part of the Peninsula was still in the hands of the Muslims. And Isabella and Ferdinand, known as the Catholic monarchs, decided to finish the reconquest of Al-Andalus and they conquered  the kingdom of Granada. (map of the Reconquest in the 15^th century)The Christian soldiers used this new invention, the harquebus, to fight the Muslims.

           At that time,  a Genovese sailor, Christopher Columbus, had a project and told the Queen Isabella about it:

Christopher Columbus: Dear Majesty, can I talk to you?

The Queen: Of couse.

Christopher Columbus:  I´ve got a very interesting sailing project.

 The Queen: Tell me about it

Christopher Columbus:  I think I can find a new route to get to the Indies going this way.(world map)

The Queen: OK, I like it, I will give you the money for the project.

            At the end, Christopher Columbus discovered a new continent and that was the beginning of the development of the Spanish empire. The arquebus was one of the weapons used for the conquest of those territories.