Episode 1: Ancient Egypt, Part I
Project -- Introduction -- Episode 1: Egypt -- Episode 2: Medieval Europe -- Episode 3: Renaissance -- Conclusion
 Painting of medicinal practices in ancient Egypt.
Website: Ancient Egypt Online Weblink: http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ Background:
Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus.
Website: History of Science Online, Week 3 Weblink: http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/hsci/03-Egypt-Aegean/egypt/medicine.html The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus discussed surgical diagnosis and treatments. It is a stringently organized presentation of case studies that include the patient’s history, diagnoses and prognoses. It is based upon empirical evidence and not just theory.  Ebers Medical Papyrus. Website: History of Science Online, Week 3 Weblink: http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/hsci/03-Egypt-Aegean/egypt/medicine.html The Ebers Papyrus discusses different diseases of the human body. It is less empirical and relies on incantations and superstitious remedies. Egyptians believed that disease and illness were the work of the gods. In order to rid the body of these evil spirits the body must be cleansed. This may involve a simple incantation or the wearing of an amulet that were designed specifically for that evil spirit/ It may also involve something extreme as an exorcism. (Lindberg, 18).
The Healers:
The Egyptian could not pray to the gods without the aid of an expert, the priest-healer. Not all of Egyptian medicine relied on magic though. The priests were also involved in plague prevention and veterinary medicine(Andre Dollinger).
Much of Egyptian medicine was based on experimentation and observation. Physicians practiced massage, performed surgeries, and extensively used therapeutic foods and herbs. Each physician was specialized in a specific field, and sometimes to a specific organ, such as the eyes or stomach. Physicians could be men or women, although it was a male-dominated field. We are unsure about how physicians acquired their medical knowledge (Andre Dollinger).
Knowledge of Anatomy: The Egyptians obtained the majority of their anatomical knowledge through observation and experimentation, not mummification (which probably only contributed a minute portion of their knowledge. This is because mummifiers were not physicians and in the way that mummification was performed (organs were often ripped out of small incisions). They made significant discoveries in anatomy though. They were the first to make the connection between the pulse and heart even though they did not understand the concept of blood circulation. Now if the priests of Sekhmet or any physician [29] put his hands (or) his fingers upon the head , upon the back of the head upon the two hands , upon the pulse , upon the two feet , he measures (h't ) the heart , because its vessels are in the back of the head and in the pulse ; and because its pulsation is in every vessel of every member. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus The Egyptians also made great strides concerning the nervous system. They were the first to use a word for brain in any written language. ... the membrane enveloping his brain, so that it breaks open his fluid in the interior of his head. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus They knew how to treat brain injuries without killing the patient but they did not really understand the brain nor its function. They believed the heart was the organ where thinking took place (Andre Dollinger).
Priscilla Landini has an excellent episode over the Edwin Smith Papyrus. To learn more, go to her site.
There is archeological evidence that this empirical knowledge was applied successfully. Archaeologists have found skeletons with broken arms that had been set, a skeleton with an amputated leg that had healed decades before his death, and a survivor of several years of brain surgery (Andre Dollinger). Archaeologists have also found knives that used obsidian blades (obsidian is the sharpest object known due to its monomolecular edge). In the temple of Sobek there are reliefs depicting medical instruments such as saws, scalpels, chisels, and dental tools.
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