Abstract :
Development of the present understanding of endocrine system closely parallels the evolution of clinical sciences from prehistoric times to the present. Iranian physicians during the glorious Islamic civilization had a tremendous share in the progress of medical sciences. The excellent clinical observations and physical examinations and writings of Iranian scientists such as Rhazes (Al-Razi, 865-925 AD), Haly Abbas (Ali ibn-al Abbas-al Majusi, died 994 AD), Avicenna (Abou Ali Sina, 980 – 1037) and Jurjan (Osmail ibn al-Husayn al-Jurjani, 110 AD) influenced the fields of internal medicine including clinical endocrinology. Avicenna in the “Canon” (al-Quanun) and Jurjani in “the treasure of Kharazm-Shah” have offered a precise description of diabetes mellitus and association of the exophthalmos with goiter, respectively; a few decades before Johann Peter Frank, Calb Pary, and Robert Graves described their observations.1 The new era of medicine in Iran begins with establishment of Dar-ul-funoon in 1849, which was the only center for modern medical education before the institution of Tehran University. In 1925, there were only 253 general practitioners who were trained in Dar-ul-Funoon college of medicine and 652 Hakims who had gained experience of medicine, and were practicing throughout the country.2 Following the establishment of the Tehran university school of medicine in 1938 and the return of Iranian graduates from the medical schools in Europe, much progress was made in the development and availability of trained manpower and specialized faculties in medicine.3
