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Pioneers 1 – Surgery
In the 10th century, a doctor by the name of Al-Zahrawi pioneered surgery. He was the first to detail the operation for cancer of the breast and techniques for removing thyroid cysts. Al-Zahrawi invented several surgical instruments notably, an instrument for internal examination of the ear, an instrument for internal inspection of the urethra and an instrument for removing foreign bodies from the throat. In fact it was his practise of using ink to mark the incisions that has now become a routine standard procedure, and most of the instruments are still in used today
Pioneers 2 – Toothbrush
Even though the toothbrush may appear a modern invention, Muhammad made it popular with the use of a twig from the Meswak tree to clean the teeth and freshen the breath during the 500 circa. Amazingly when a Swiss pharmaceutical company tested Meswak, it was found to contain substances which destroyed the harmful germs in the mouth which cause gum infections and tooth decay.
Pioneers 3 – Traders in the West
Apricots, oranges and artichokes were brought into Europe by Muslim traders. The numerous trade routes that existed allowed many countries and people to share knowledge, produce and wealth. These trade routes stretched from southern Spain to the western borders of China, and from northern Turkey to as far south as Sri Lanka.
Pioneers 4 – Cheese
Cheese was first made in the Middle East. Legend has it that cheese was 'discovered' by an unknown Arab nomad. He is said to have filled a saddlebag with milk to sustain him on a journey across the desert. After several hours he stopped to drink, only to find that the milk had separated into pale watery liquid and solid white lumps. The nomad found the whey drinkable and the curds edible, or so the legend claims.
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