Ancient Egyptian Healers

Abstract

Medicine in ancient Egypt was trying to restrain all malefic beings from action and to preserve the well-being of the individual. Thus the initial statement that magic and science were one and only, a sole concept. Papyrus Edwin Smith mentioned diseases and surgery cases, 62 in total, fourteen with known treatments, and 48 without mentioning any treatment, may be chronic diseases difficult to treat or even unknown diseases. At the same time as Papyrus Edwin Smith was bought in 1872 by Egyptologist George Ebers who gave it his name. It contains 877 medical treatises covering physical, mental, and spiritual diseases. Papyrus Hearst Housed at the Bancroft Library, the University of California has eighteen pages, concentrating on the urinary tract treatments, blood, hair, and snake and scorpion bites. Written in hieratic, its prescriptions go from a tooth that has fallen out to medicine to treat the lung and even human bites. Pigs and hippopotamus bites also. The nurse in Ancient Egypt could be female or male and was a highly respected medical professional although, as with midwives, there is no evidence of a school or professional training.