Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Ancient Egyptian Medicine was well respected in the Ancient world and
Egyptian physicians were often sent to the courts of allies to offer
treatments and cures to important political figures and members of
royalty including the Kings of
Persia. The knowledge of medicine, anatomy and the working of the human
body has been attributed to the embalming procedures practised in
Ancient Egypt. This idea, however, is incorrect as only priests were
allowed to embalm the dead. It is believed that Egyptian Physicians and
doctors obtained their skills from ancient knowledge and texts.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Specialist Doctors and Physicians
Egyptian doctors specialised
in treating different parts of the body and different ailments. Their
were doctors who specialised in the head, eyes, ears, the stomach and fertility.
As well as specialist doctors and physicians there were different levels
of doctors in the medical profession. The most senior physician in Egypt
was the chief medical
officer. There were inspectors of
physicians who validated the working practises of doctors.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Diagnosis
Egyptian doctors were known to have
identified and documented hundreds of different illnesses. These covered
every part of the body and included illnesses such as ulcers, migraine,
dermatological problems, dental conditions, diseases of the ear, nose,
throat and digestive system and gynaecological conditions. Papyrus
manuals reveal that doctors had detailed knowledge of the digestion,
nervous system and circulation. They were also skilled in various
surgical techniques, medicine and injuries such as burns, breakages and
various wounds and infections. The Egyptian doctors and physicians would
therefore have accompanied soldiers on their various military campaigns.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Magic and Spells
Also part of Egyptian medicine were magic, charms, and
spells. An Egyptian physician was also a magician and practised various
rituals which involved the incantation of different spells. The magic
accompanied the remedies and were believed to be effective in ridding
patients of evil spirits.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus
The techniques employed in Ancient
Egyptian medicine when dealing with wounds and injuries was documented
in a papyrus first owned by a man named Edwin Smith. This has become
known as the 'Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus' and is believed to date back
to 1600BC. The papyrus details a systematic approach to diagnosis
describing 48 different types of fractures, dislocations and wounds. The
Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus also has a magical incantation against
pestilence confirming the ritualised practises of Ancient Egyptian
medicine and physicians.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Cures and Remedies
Egyptian doctors and physicians were
very also advanced in their knowledge of herbal remedies. The plants and
herbs used included garlic and juniper berries. They were known to
prescribe castor oil as a laxative medicine. Pain was dulled with the
use of powdered henbane and mandrake. During the period of the New
Kingdom opium was known to have been imported from Cyprus as another
form of painkiller. Physicians were aware of the difference between
simple fractures and multiple complex fractures. Broken bones were set
with splints made with strips of bark wrapped in plant fibre or linen. Egyptian doctors
and physicians performed surgical operations including complicated
procedures such as relieving pressure on the brain. Egyptian medicine
and techniques owe something of their success to rigid procedures
regarding cleanliness. A purification ritual involving washing was
essential before treating a patient.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Medical Examinations
The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus
also details the medical examination process practised by the Ancient Egyptian doctors
and physicians. Patients were questioned at some length regarding their
well being including details of their bodily functions. A physician
would examine a patient with gentleness and care using his senses of
both smell and touch during the examination. An Ancient Egyptian
Physician would only treat a patient if he was confident of a reasonable
cure.
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
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