The Medicine of the Ancient Egyptians: 2: Internal Medicine

This second volume in the series focuses on the science of internal medicine in early Egypt, providing symptoms and treatments in greater detail than most modern discussions. Exploring cases set forth in Egyptian medical papyri—particularly the Ebers papyrus of the second millennium BCE—the authors examine various internal diseases and show how Egyptian physicians, who the authors make clear had nothing in common with the embalmers of mummies, treated respiratory (cough), digestive (constipation, diarrhea and intestinal parasites) and circulatory (heart disease) ailments. Egyptian medical practitioners demonstrated skill in preparing natural—often herbal—remedies in the form of pills, drinks, ointments, foods, enemas. Despite the embryonic states of knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology available, early Egyptian doctors exemplified great confidence in their practice. Besides using empirical knowledge, physicians treated internal diseases with magical methods based on religious concepts and mythology. The authors translated a great many remedies, including detailed ingredient lists.