ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MEDICATIONS, WAY OF TREATMENTS, SURGERIES ETC.

 INFLUENCES 

Ancient Egyptian civilization was a civilization that lasted from 3300-525 B.C.E.  Approximately, this is the time where the concept of health started. Some of the earliest treatments come from ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians thought that Gods, demons and spirits had a hand in causing diseases. The point that these people had systems of letters and numbers meant that they were able to record and develop calculations. Its best example is ancient Egyptian medical Literature which accounts for the oldest existence today. These people had an organized economy, system of government, a settled population, social conventions and properly enforced laws . Before that these people lived a nomadic life. This situation allowed their medical research to develop. For instance, there were wealthy individuals in the ancient society. They could afford the education fee and some healthcare which led to the development of this subject. The ancient Egyptians travelled long distances, coming back with herbs and spices from distant locations. 

LEARNING AND RESEARCH

The ancient Egyptians practiced to preserve deceased people as MUMMIES so as to learn about how the human body works. For example, the priest-doctor inserted a long, hooked implement through the nostril and broke the thin bone of the brain case to remove the Brain. Kings and Queens from distant lands sought Egyptian doctors because they were well reputed for their excellence.

THE EBERS PAPYRUS

Archaeologists have found a number of records which describe ancient Egyptian medical practice including the Ebers  Papyrus. These records contain over 700 remedies and magical formulas and scores of incantation which aimed at repelling demons that caused disease. The authors wrote them probably around 1500 B.C.E. but this document may contain copies of older material dating back to 3400 B.C.E. They are among the oldest preserved medical documents till now. The scroll provides evidence of sound scientific procedures. Doctors appear to have had much better knowledge about bone structure and some knowledge about how the brain and liver worked. 

SURGERY

Egyptian physicians took practice and were able to join broken bones and dislocated joints successfully. Basically the Doctors knew how to stitch wounds effectively. They used bandages made from certain plant products such as willow leaves, to treat burnt skin. They did not perform surgery deep inside the body, maybe because there were no anesthetics or antiseptics. Surgeons had an array of instruments such as pincers, forceps, spoons, saws, containers with burning incense, hooks, knives etc.

AILMENTS AND TREATMENTS

Egyptian doctors told that there were three types of injuries:

Treatable injuries: they dealt with these immediately.

Contestable injuries: they believed that these were not life-threatening. The doctor would observe the patient and if the survived, the doctor would decide whether to intervene.

Untreatable Ailments: the doctor would not intervene.

 Common ailments included:

• Common cold

• Digestive problems

• Headaches 

Other Ailments:

Ailments                                             Treatments

1.Asthma                                 Honey and milk, sesame, frankincense.

2.Burns and skin diseases  Aloe

3. Pain                                 Thyme

4. Digestive problems         Juniper, mint, garlic, sandalwood 

5.Bad breath                         Mint, caraway

6. Epilepsy                        Camphor

7. Vomiting                        Mint to stop it and mustard seeds to cause it.

Note that all the treatments mentioned above were natural. 

Willow leaves.