Ancient Egyptian physicians treated diverse diseases using plants, minerals and surgery
In short: A review of surviving ancient Egyptian medical texts, inscribed on stone, clay and papyrus, describes practitioners with detailed understanding of human anatomy who performed surgery and treated conditions ranging from dental and gynecological problems to gastrointestinal and urinary disorders. The records also indicate they could recognize diabetes and cancer as distinct diseases.
Their treatments drew on an extensive pharmacy of plants, minerals and animal products, and some of those plants are still used today. This review draws on papyri, stone carvings and clay tablets, but the authors note that many original records have been lost or destroyed, leaving only a partial picture of ancient Egyptian medicine.
Why it matters: Ancient Egyptian medicine was sophisticated, treating diverse diseases with surgery, pharmacology, and keen diagnostic skill.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Metwaly et al. (2021). Traditional ancient Egyptian medicine: A review. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. · cc-by-nc-nd
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