|
(Continued
from Vol. 1, issue 12.)
History of the Jewish Physicians, From the
French of E. Carmoly, by John R. W. Dunbar, M. D. &c. Baltimore,
8 vo. pp. 94.
"That which is particularly deserving of
praise in the Jewish physicians, is their having founded the plan of
medical teaching at Montpelier, which was the cradle of the celebrated
faculty of this city. All the histories agree in this glorious fact, but
no one of them informs us of the precise epoch, not the gradual
progress. We shall attempt to give both in this place.
"The
origin of the city of Montpelier was as early as the ninth century. At
that period the Israelites had schools in many of the towns of Languedoc
and Provence, particularly at Arles, and Narbonne about the year 1000.
"This
last school was under the presidency of the Doctor Rabbi Abou,
grandfather of the learned Moses Darshon. Religion was the principal
object of instruction, but medicine was not neglected. One of his
disciples, whose name has not been preserved by history, but who has
transmitted the title of a medical work which he had composed, resided
at Montpelier, about the year 1025, and is probably the founder of the
medical school of that city.
"Teaching
was conducted there as in the school at Salernum, in Hebrew and Arabic,
and a remark made by Salisburi, Bishop of Chartres, who lived in the
twelfth century, that those who came from this school were full of
barbarous words, proves that even at that period, the studies were
conducted in a foreign tongue. The Greek was rarely learned there, and
the physicians of that city who descended from the Israelites, made use
in the first place of the Arabic and Hebrew, and subsequently of the
Provençal and Latin, which we find used in the translations of the
twelfth century. Whoever he may be, this unknown physician taught
medicine at Montpelier, and his disciples who confirmed his course of
studies, had a powerful influence in inspiring Christians with a desire
of learning. As regards the work of our doctor it is referred to under
the title of Book of Medicine, by Nathan ben Jechiel of home, by
Solomon ben Isaac of Troyes, and by Eleazar ben Nathan of Margence, all
authors of the twelfth century.''
In
all the civilized countries during the eleventh century, the Jews took
an elevated stand in the sciences, especially medicine; among the great
names of that period, Ebn Djanah, or as he is called among the Jews,
Yonah ben Ganach, holds a high rank, though his works remain as yet in
manuscript. The Jewish physicians were established in all countries,
Christian no less than Mussulman, and they were held in high, repute in
Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Egypt; and what is remarkable enough,
the greater part of these medical men also devoted their attention to
religious literature, as their works which have come down to us amply
testify; and we refer the reader to the work under review for farther
particulars.
The
age of Rashi, or more properly, Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, also known as
Yarchi, is distinguished in our annals as one of great enlightenment in
the sciences; for Israel furnished at that time some of the greatest
theologians, philosophers, mathematicians, astronomers, jurists, poets
and musicians. And Rashi himself, (born according to the best
authorities at Troyes, in the year 1043, died in July 1108, at the age
of sixty-five,) will always be regarded as one of the brightest stars
among our scholars; and his varied erudition and immense industry
displayed in the many works he has left behind, and which form the
text-books of all Jewish students, will ever be a monument of what
biblical learning is indebted to him for.—Spain boasted then of her
Ebn Zohar, (born at Peneflor, in 1070, died 1161,) who was physician to
Ali ben Temin, King of Seville, and afterwards to Joseph ben Tachefyn,
Prince of Morocco. "He was in truth a great observer of nature, and
profoundly learned, was perfect master or the Hebrew, Syriac and Arabic
languages, and had no less talent for poetry than prose."
During
the same period we are told, that "Although the prohibition
anciently made against Christians consulting Jewish physicians in cases
of disease, had been renewed in Christian Spain, the king, of Leon had,
nevertheless, in defiance of it, at the beginning of this period, an
Israelite physician, to whom he granted his whole confidence. It was to
this doctor, that even the estates of the kingdom addressed themselves
to use his influence with the king to dissuade him from an alliance with
Arragon. No one who knew the imperious character of the prince dared to
address him on this subject—the Hebrew doctor alone made known to him
the wishes of the nation.
"Aben
Omar ben Kamenil, was a very distinguished Spanish physician of that
period, and has been celebrated by Mousa ben Esra de Grenada; but his
glory soon faded before that of Aben Esra.
"Abraham
ben Meir Aben Esra, was born at Toledo in the year 1092, of one of the
most learned Jewish families of Spain. Nature had gifted him with a vast
genius, which grasped almost all the sciences.
"He
was versed in philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, grammar, and
poetry. He delighted very much in travelling, and passed most of his
life in that way. After having traversed France, he was made prisoner.
Having escaped this danger, he returned to Europe, visited England and
other countries, and what is very extraordinary, he composed his
pricipal works during these expeditions."
(To
be continued.)
|
