Ancient Egypt Medical Papyri: The Ebers Medical Papyrus and the Edwin Smith Papyrus - Research Paper Example

Ancient Egypt medical papyri: the Ebers medical papyrus and the Edwin Smith papyrus. These documents deal with diseases and their remedy, the body structure and the magic spells used in the diseases treatment. A large number of these were discovered in the 19th and the early 20th centuries. Tracts (evidence based), that would help in keeping records must have been destroyed over time by either natural phenomenon or human intervention. This particularly later threatened their documentary. Military invasions and tomb robbers are a clear example of these destructive agents that led to the disappearance of the papyri. The main study of these papyri was conducted in Berlin in the year between1954-1973 (Atta and Hussein 123). The Ebers papyrus has haphazard collection of medical texts which are organized in paragraphs which are arranged in blocks and thus addressing specific medical conditions. It contains the most voluminous medical record of the ancient Egypt known. The proof that diseases healed from magical spells, were not available in the papyrus. Issues regarding the supernatural intervention in relation to treatment and diagnosis are highlighted in paragraphs (David and Rosalie 124). Diseases discussed by the Ebers papyrus include; disease of the stomach such as intestinal parasites, anus diseases, skin diseases, head diseases, treatment of migraines, flow of urine, hair, flesh wounds and burns and extremities of the disorders (Bonn and Kitty 45). From the Edwin Smith Papyrus, we are able to point out that, they were able to treat fractured and dislocated bones. From this again we find out that they too treated dislocated bones and performed minor surgical procedures. On the same note, they were able to treat diseases in physical manner. However, alongside this physical treatment, they accompanied it with spiritual practices. According, to Edwin Smith Papyrus, much of the treatment involved crushing and mixing of herbs. Diseases addressed by Edwin Smith Papyrus include: tongue diseases, conditions related to dermatology, dental diseases, ear diseases, throat and nose diseases and gynecological disorders. There are also discussions regarding the diagnosis of pregnancy, treatment of tumors, trachoma, birth control and fractures (David and Rosalie 89). About seven hundred magical formulas their remedies are also contained. The papyrus notes that the heart serves as the centre of the supply of blood with the attachment of vessels to other parts of the body. Seemingly the Egyptians did know little about the kidneys and assumed the heart to be the meeting point vessels carrying body fluids such as blood, urine, tears, and sperm. The chapter known as the Book of Hearts gives details about the mental disorders. Dementia and depression are equally covered (Haas 90). The Ancient Egyptians, like the Ancient Greeks and the Romans, have provided modern historians with grounded knowledge and evidence towards medicine and sufficient knowledge on the medical field. This evidence is particularly based on the many papyrus found in the archaeological sites. This is like in the history of man, where some of these beliefs of the Egyptians were based; myths and legends. This should not however, be disputed with the increase of knowledge of the Egyptian people who exceedingly grew in human anatomy and plain commonsense. In the Ancient Egypt the treatment of illness was no longer carried out by the common magicians and medicine men, because knowledge of diseases and their curing method had already developed. This is supported by the archaeological evidences available in the papyri (refers to physicians and doctors). This is particularly amazing, in that there are archaeological digs that have added more evidence of men titled as physicians. This means that all the knowledge about the Ancient Egypt medicine comes from the discoveries of papyrus documents. Most of these papyrus documents have come from the era of 1900 BC and 1500 BC (White and Renee 45-67). This is the evidence to the common believe of the Ancient Egyptians who believed to have the supernatural powers to heal those infected by diseases. To them there was no cause for diseases; hence the priests and doctors believed this was caused by spiritual beings. Besides, this was a time when no one would explain why someone had a disease; this paved the way for magicians to drive out spells and diseases. This actually worked as some people were healed. This became a ground from which medical knowledge grew among the Egyptians. The papyrus reveals that Ancient Egyptians discovered how the human body worked. They also had additional information on the pulse rate, air and blood circulation in the human body. In that the heart that beat weakly meant that the patient had problems. These documents actually give names of organs such as the heart, the lungs, the spleen and the anus. This is evidence that they must have known that such organs indeed existed (Ferrence and Susan 67). It is reported that, by this time, the Egyptians had not known of the functions and existence of some of the body organs like the kidneys. But, one thing they knew and believed: “the heart was the meeting point of many vessels, in that it is a place where body fluids converged, like urine, tears and sperms”. Many prescriptions exist to this day showing many treatment of such and similar diseases. “Honey and milk were used in the treatment of respiratory system and throat irritations”, Ferrence and Susan (2004). The physicians used castor oil to dress injured parts of human body. Head injuries were routinely and successfully treated by the help of trepanning, which is the practice to open the head and remove pressure. The teeth were filled using special type of cement, also gum diseases were taken care of using tree concoctions. Human health science has grown so tremendous, from simple body dressing, through health care to the modern surgery. This appreciation goes back to the Ebers papyrus that reveals that Ancient Egyptians discovered how the human body worked. All these development points back to the discovery and evolution of medicine by the Ancient Egypt (Homer and John 78). The information Edwin Smith Papyrus on the other hand is communicating is that, medicine helped develop the Egyptian civilization. This is practically evident, as this culture continues up to today. Through this, the Ancient Egyptians develop knowledge that is esteemed throughout the world. The papyri also inform us that the science of healing was developed in Egypt. Generally, Egyptian medicine had a well deserved reputation through the ancient world. Many of the Hippocrates, for instance acknowledged that much of medical science can from Egypt. Work cited Atta, Hussein M. "Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus: The Oldest Known Surgical Treatise." The American Surgeon 65.12 (1999): 1190,1190-2. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 30 Sep. 2011 David, Rosalie. "The Art of Medicine: The Art of Healing in Ancient Egypt: A Scientific Reappraisal." The Lancet 372.9652 (2008): 1802,1802-3. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 30 Sep. 2011. Bonn and Kitty, eds. Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, 40th ed. Barberton, Ohio: The Babcock & Wilcox Co., 1992. Ferrence, Susan C., and Gordon Bendersky. "Therapy with Saffron and the Goddess at Thera." Perspectives in biology and medicine 47.2 (2004): 199,199-226. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 30 Sep. 2011. Haas, L. F. "Neurological Stamp: Papyrus of Ebers and Smith." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 67.5 (1999): 578-. ProQuest. Web. 30 Sep. 2011. Homer, John. Ancient Egyptian Papyri: Archaeological Studies, 2001. Hussein, Angela Murock. "It's in the Papyri." Dig 2011: 8,8-11. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 30 Sep. 2011 . White, Renee M. "Ancient Egyptian Medical Traditions on View at the Met." New York Amsterdam News: 16. 2005. Web. 30 Sep. 2011 . Read More