Page 247 - ירושלים: גיליון רפואי

The Beginning of the Modern Era
and the End of Traditional Medicine

The process of integrating the science of modern medicine in Jerusalem was accomplished in
stages; the first sign was already apparent during the first half of the 19th century with the
establishment of several hospitals. The transition period from traditional medicine to the
new era was described by Titus Tobler (1806-1897), a Swiss doctor who traveled to Palestine
on several occasions. Tobler published many in-depth studies recording the condition of
medical practice in Jerusalem. He meticulously chronicled a list of traditional medicines
that he found in a shop owned by an Arab merchant in the spice market (Souk al-Attarin).
Many of these spices are used in alternative medicine and are still sold today at the same
site, a five-minute walk from the Tower of David Museum.

‫ גן צמחי תבלין‬:‫ממול‬
Opposite: Garden of spice plants

245 ■ ‫ראשית העת החדשה וסופה של הרפואה המסורתית‬