Important measures were taken for the spiritual care of the patients in the house of health; theatre, music. […] Music started with drums, and then instruments such as flutes, lyres and pipes were added to the melodies. The sad sounds of the kitara guitars would harmonise with the beautiful tunes. A drama or comedy would follow. In the plays, masks and various dresses were worn. Music was also added to the plays. On feasts and festival days, these were performed with a more organised programme. Poets would recite odes for the gods, the country and the city, and strong orators would sing words for the festival, beauty and life. Patients would forget their suffering in these frequent festivities, and would be more attached to life by gathering joy and pleasure. Every year, in the spring and summer, a fair would be organised for days, and on those days the dar al-shifa would bustle like a beehive. Reed huts lined the perimeter of the house of health; food and clothing were sold. […] The daytime festivities were complemented by lantern processions at night. […] All this was done to relieve the sorrow of the patients, to give strength to their softened hearts and to increase their vitality. In addition, many strong orators, poets and musical masters would have been trained.

Translation: Via Hygeia