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Oriental Medicine Series - Part 1: Egyptian medicine and mummiesBY: Hueman | Category: Health and Fitness | Post Date: 2008-08-15
One is always astonished at the engineering marvel of the ancient Egyptian Civilization, and the various WONDERS it gave birth to, on this earth. Egyptians were not lagging behind in the most sacred art of healing too. The art of MUMMIFICATION which they mastered has been of immense help to us through such well preserved mummies. However, the academic and cultural prejudice that treats the past's achievements as the product of near savages with nothing of importance to teach us know-it-all moderns. It is only in the last few years the discovery and translation of a few papyri has broadened our understanding of the skill and ability these ancient healers developed over the millennia. It may be a fact that the ancients wanted their techniques to be kept a secret and, as the time passed, many of these secret processes and remedies became part of the medical folklore of the Mediterranean world. And, their ancient medical community was much like today in that they advised preventative medicine. The pre scription for a healthy life, which was almost always given by a member of the priesthood, was first for an individual to take part in the regular purification rituals. It was also common for the Egyptians to undergo dream analysis to find a cure or cause for illness, as well as to ask for a priest to aid them with magic. Religious magical rites and purification rites were intertwined in the healing process as well as in creating a proper lifestyle. Physicians were trained through apprenticeships. There were taught certain conventions, like phrasing their diagnosis carefully. The student physician was instructed to treat the patient in one of three ways: A. 'Until he recovers.' B. 'Until the period of his injury passes by.' C. 'Until you know that he has the reached decisive point.' Hesyre was the oldest known physician in history. He was the "Chief of Dentists and Physicians" at the time of King Zoser (3rd dynasty, 2700 - 2625 BC). Peseshet was the first female physician in the world, practicing at the time of the pyramids (4th dynasty). She was titled "Lady Overseer of the Lady Physicians". She oversaw a group of women who were qualified physicians, not just midwives. She also taught midwives at their peri-ankh (medical school). And, during those times, all types of physicians coexisted peacefully. There were no pharmacists in ancient Egypt. The physician herself compounded the remedies, just as she probably gathered the necessary ingredients and stored them in her house. There was something like hospitals as well. The temple of Hathor (Hwt-Hrw) at Dendra was composed of buildings that were used for this purpose. At this location the sick were cared for by priestesses with baths, special diets, medical incantations and prayers. These priestesses also acted as midwives for the community. Early scientists and physicians had so closely observed the course of disease they could theorize there was an un-see-able thing that infected the patient (their words "stick, grow and spread"), causing illness. Today we believe that unseen (without a microscope) bacteria and viruses invade the body from the outside, stick, grow and spread, causing illness. Not so different from the modern thought.. Surgery in this ancient civilization: Several examples exist of cranial surgery, probably to repair skulls smashed during battle. There are also a few examples of trepanning (cutting a hole in the skull for unknown reasons) that are often seen in other ancient cultures. All of those found however, show bone growth around the removed bone section. This indicates that the patients lived after the surgery for some time. Evidence of bone setting, draining cysts, pulling teeth and removal of growths has been found during examination of mummies. A thoroughly examined mummy, found in the necropolis at Thebes, had a delicately carved wooden prosthetic toe complete with toenail to replace one that had been amputated. It had attached to her foot with a fine linen lace. In later periods caesarian sections are attested to by two tomb paintings. There exists no evidence of other abdominal surgery, though. Wounds were treated with willow bark (the original source of aspirin) and moldy bread compresses (known to contain antibiotics), kept clean through ritual bathing and infection free through the regular application of honey (known even today as an excellent anti- bacterial). Before operations, patients were given numbing agents including opium and belladonna, as well as others. The knives and scalpels were heated to cauterize wounds, which stops bleeding. This provided an (at the time) unknown benefit, sterilized instruments. These facts help put to rest the idea that ancient people's medical knowledge was undeveloped, potentially dangerous and mostly ineffective. Indian Oriental Doctor, trained and educated in modern methods, but being from TRADITIONAL orthodox MEDICAL family.. learnt the old methods of healing. Now, a HOLISTIC MEDICAL PRACTITIONER. Article Source: http://www.saching.com About Author / Additional Info: Additional Articles: * Why do the employees prefer working in developed countries. * Within Astrology And Divination * How to make money by breeding dogs * The health benefits of cinnamon: Cures stomach ailments * Discover Your Colour. Colours reflect character, taste and attitude Does this article violate or infringe on your copyright ? It is a violation of our terms for authors to submit content which they did not write and claim it as their own. 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