The history of Kasr El-Ainireveals that, like any other institution, it had its ups and downs. However, its history, which extends for about 172 years, shows that this medical educational institution was most prosperous in the periods during which the reins of administration and teaching were in Egyptian hands. When Clot Bey 'S Egyptianization policy bore its first fruit, at the return of the first batch of staff members from their mission in France in 1840, the Medical School flourished. Records show that in the years that followed, the School enjoyed a unique
international reputation. The School also progressed rapidly when EI-Khedive Ismail Pasha appointed its second Egyptian Director Mohamed Ah El-Bakli Pasha.
Clot Bey
In comparison, the Medical School was at its lowest ebb under British control especially when Dr. Keating took over in 1898, and put an end to its Egyptian system. After a long slumber, the school was to rise once more to its full stature, when Ah Pasha Ibrahim, the famous surgeon, was elected as Dean in 1929. It was at his hands that the age of Renaissance returned and the Medical School underwent a (New Revival) :
In 1840, Mohamed El-Shafey, Mohamed El-Shabasy, Mohamed EI-Skoary, Moustafa El-Sobky and Mohamed Aly El-Bakly, returned from Paris after they had completed their education successfully, and were appointed as admirals equal to their foreign colleagues. They were offered a salary of 10 pounds per month.
Clot Bey appointed Ahmed El-Rasheedy to teach physics and chemistry - Ahmed Naguib (biology) - Ibrahim EI-Nabarawi (surgery) - Isa ElNaharawy (medicine) - Hussein El-Hehiawy (anatomy) - Aly Hyba (delivery and physiology). In fact, Hyba was the first Egyptian gynecologist.
Clot Bey injecting himself with infectious disease
Until 1848, the Faculty of Medicine graduated 800 doctors. On December of the same year, Professor. Lallimand came to Egypt. He studied the conditions of the School of Medicine, and on 22nd December, he sent a report to the Minister of Education saying; «I was pleased with the exam of the students of medicine during the eight days. I think that if French students sat for such an exam under the same circumstances, and after such a period of time they would not surpass the Egyptian students in such an exam».
«Any European university would glory in having some of those students among her students. Many Egyptian students deserve to be sent to Europe to come back efficient professors and clever doctors. I confess that the Egyptian School of Medicine can now graduate trustworthy and efficient doctors»
Medicine had a great reputation. Scientists were sent to it, from all over Europe. It became famous in Greece, Asetana, Syria, and Arabia.
Patients from all other countries came to be cured, or to be operated on.
Teudor Belhars