Episode 1: First came the Egyptians

  

 As I am sure many of you know by now, my web project is covering the History of Medicine. I could think of                                                             [1]
absolutely no better place to start with this project then with the Egyptians and their extensive medical advancements. I mean, think about it, starting with anyone other than the Egyptian would be like picking up a novel and starting with chapter two. Most every major subject begins with the Egyptians, for example art history, medicine, architecture, and mathematics.  Throughout almost all of the readings that we have finished in the class I have always asked myself “How? How on Earth did these people even have the brain thought to ask the questions that lead to these results?” This thought was never prevalent than when it came to the Egyptians and their study of medicine.
   
     
    First, I am a firm believer that in order to understand something one should at least know who is responsible for the work. Edwin Smith was born in Connecticut in 1822, which also happens to be the same year the first Egyptian hieroglyphics were translated. In 1862 Smith purchased an ancient manuscript roll that happened to lack some of its outer edges but two months later, the same vandals that sold Smith the original papyrus sold him the two outer edges that he happened to be missing. (Wilkins) Although, Smith is credited with the papyrus it was actually a man by the name of James H. Breasted that translated the treaties and established their importance. (Wilkins)
    
  

[2]
What is obviously one of the most important Egyptian documents ever discovered and also one of the most influential surgical documents to have ever been written, the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus is one of the earliest surviving pieces of medical literature. (“Edwin Smith Papyrus”) The papyrus contains a list of 48 traumatic injury cases, each with a description of the physical examination, treatment, and prognosis. (“Edwin Smith Papyrus”) But you may be asking yourself what makes this information so vital, so important, and so groundbreaking? Well it is the extensive and fascinating detail that these people were able to uncover. I read over the cases that are discussed in the papyrus and will be further discussed in this episode and it is mind-blowing to me that people from the 16th Century BCE (“Edwin Smith Papyrus”) were able to perform brain surgery. Think of it this way, the people of today meaning those who do not have any medical training, have a billion times more resources at their disposal and I for one would never in a million years even consider attempting brain surgery, legal ramification aside even!      
    
    
    But what is it that really stands out from this document, what don’t you (the reader) know yet? For starters each of the 48 cases are classified by one of three different verdicts: 1. Favorable 2. Uncertain 3. Unfavorable. (Wilkins) The third verdict, which meant “an ailment not to be treated,” is found in no other Egyptian medical text. (Wilkins) Also, only one of the 48 cases refers to magic as a treatment, all of the other cases are handled rationally and chiefly surgically. (Wilkins) You also might not know that the surgical treaties begin with the head and work their way all the way down the body to even include major injury to the spinal cord. Case forth-eight of the papyrus discusses how man has a sprain of a vertebra in his spinal cord and could not extend his legs without immediately contracting them because the pain was so intense. (Wilkins)  His prognosis was “Thou shouldst place him prostrate on his back; thou shouldst make for him....” (Wilkins) Perhaps one of the most shocking cases in the material is Case six which talks about “ Instructions concerning a gaping wound in his head, penetrating to the bone, smashing his skull, (and) rending open the brain of his skull.” (Wilkins) The case talks about “throbbing and flutter under thy fingers” (Wilkins) It also describes how stiffness of the neck might set in and blood might be discharged from both nostrils. It also goes on to say that a case like this an ailment not to be treated and a decisive point has been reached. (Wilkins)
   

  
     Although reading over many of the cases they seem to obvious, I mean who does not know that when you have a gaping hole in your head and your brain is exposed you are obviously about to die? But we must remember that the Egyptians did in fact not know this. They had no idea what obviously treatable injuries were and which ones had no hope for healing.  Also, it is very important to remember that these people did not try, at least in large part, to treat people through spiritual healing or by relying on the Gods, instead they studied and observed the injuries and symptoms of those around them and laid the first pieces of ground work for what would become modern medicine.

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References:
Wilkins, Robert H.. "Neurosurgical Classic-XVII Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus." Cyber Museum of Neurosurgery. 1964. Duke University Medical Center. 13 Oct 2008 <http://www.neurosurgery.org/cybermuseum/pre20th/epapyrus.html>.

Imhotep, " Edwin Smith surgical papyrus." History of Science. 1600 BCE. University of Oklahoma. 22 Sep 2008 <http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/hsci/03-Egypt-Aegean/egypt/medicine.html>.

Lindberg, David. The Beginnings of Western Science. Second. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007.

"Edwin Smith Papyrus." Wikipedia. 2008. Wikipedia. 13 Oct 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Smith_Papyrus>.

Notes:
My primary source, the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus contained the information I used for my episode but I obviously needed by secondary source since it contained the translation of the papyrus (as I am not fluent in Egyptian hieroglyphics) as well on commentary on it and Mr. Smith. Both sources were conveyed through an analytical style with perhaps a bit of comedy! Also, my secondary source meets requirements 2 and 3.

Image Information:
[1] Mural from the tombs of the kings of Thebes
Website: Floyds Secrets of the Earth
Weblink: http://floydssecrets.blogspot.com/2007/08/ancient-egyptian-surgery.html

[2] Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus
Website: Neurophilosophy
Weblink: http://neurophilosophy.files.wordpress.com/2006/07/783px-edsmpaplateviandviiprintsx.jpg

[3] Image of Egyptian Circumcision
Website: Image of Surgery
Weblink: http://www.imageofsurgery.com/CircumEgypt.jpg\
**Sorry if this image is a little.... weird for anyone. This is one of the only pictures I could find of Egyptian surgery and I didn't want to use any images that were used in week 1's reading!**

Also, Natalie Griffin did her first episode on a very similar topic and you should check it out! http://sites.google.com/site/nataliedenisegriffin/Home/project/episode-1