The Ancient Egyptians were among the first great civilizations on the planet. It specialized in building structures and mummification. They built the pyramids at Giza, the Library of Alexandria, and the Great Sphinx. Unlike other civilizations, Ancient Egypt was a foundationally well-structured society; they had a highly organized government, a sophisticated agricultural economy, and strict law enforcement. These highly developed, proper social institutions created a sense of stability and arrangement in their everyday lives that nurtured research and documentation. Though the people succeeded after various trial and error, their success is remarkable. They were certainly ahead of their time. Egyptians discovered medical treatments, some of which are still practiced in the modern world.
Medical Practices in Ancient Egypt
Egyptians have practiced medicine as far back as 3300 BCE. Even though their dental treatment did not work, they still had one. Their knowledge regarding the human body became extensive over time. They verified their knowledge with research and practice. Their treatments started with little injuries like burns, wounds, snake and scorpion bites, and other topical ailments. As Egyptians continued to succeed in their practices, their medical treatments eventually put them ahead of other civilizations. However, even though they had medical treatments, the life expectancy was only 34 years in Ancient Egypt.
At that time, it was still better to live in a civilization that was able to cure wounds and fix broken bones painfully, instead of living in one where injuries of this kind were considered a death sentence. In Ancient Egypt, invasive surgery was not practiced due to a lack of the required tools. The lack of anesthesia and antiseptic was another reason that made surgery like that impossible. Having an invasive surgery guaranteed extensive pain or death by infection.
But if we set the flaws aside, at that time, Ancient Egypt had a pretty advanced knowledge when it came to topical remedies. By mixing and matching different herbs and failing several times, they finally made some effective ointments. They also knew how to set dislocations and fix broken bones with the use of splints and linens, and they were able to stitch wounds and apply herbal ointments to help prevent infection. The ointments were used to cure burns and small wounds as well. This may sound very basic to the eye of a modern person, but at that time, even making an herbal healer was a big deal considering they did not have many resources or much knowledge as we do nowadays. And these basic and simple healing tools could be the difference between life and death at that time.
Ancient Egypt Innovations
Ancient Egyptian society was filled with innovations. Archaeologists’ findings suggest that Egyptians had surgical tools that were used in medical treatments. These tools were the very first tools ever used for surgical purposes. Some of them are used in modern medical procedures as well. The tools were made of copper, and they consisted of spoons, pincers, saws, knives, hooks, and forceps. Egyptians also invented bandages infused with willow leaves to treat inflammation, a treatment that was way ahead of its time.
World’s First Prosthetic
Another surprising but fascinating discovery made by archaeologists was the use of prosthetics by Ancient Egyptians. Scientists found a prosthetic toe made from wood and leather on a female mummy. The woman died around 950 to 710 BCE. Her mummy was discovered near Luxor. While the idea of using a prosthetic was probably a big invention then, researchers at the University of Manchester suggest that the toe might actually have been functional and helped the woman to walk. It showed signs of being worn and used, which encouraged scientists to do a study with and without a prosthetic toe. Ancient Egyptian footwear was hard to walk in without a big toe. The prosthetic toe on that woman was likely functional.
Male Circumcision
It is also believed that male circumcision started in Ancient Egypt. The important factor to consider is that anesthesia was not invented at that time, meaning a male was fully conscious during the procedure. They also shared their knowledge of circumcision with other cultures and spread it around the world. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Egyptians were the only people during that time who could do surgical treatments like circumcision. They practiced circumcision for the sake of cleanliness; there were no religious links. The surgery was performed in a male’s pre-adolescence phase instead of at infancy. Some scholars believe that this ritual was a symbol of a man stepping into manhood from boyhood. Even though it was largely practiced, it did not denote social class or status; not all mummies of kings seemed to be circumcised.
The First Female Doctor
If someone asks you to name the first female doctor, you will probably name Elizabeth Blackwell. She was a British woman who became the first female doctor after acquiring an MD degree in 1849. However, it seems like she was actually not the first-ever female doctor. Egyptians were not only ahead of their time with regards to technology or medicine, but they were ahead of their time regarding equality as well. The first recorded female doctor was found in Ancient Egypt, and she was not someone who handled mild burns or bites. She was the chief physician. A number of other physicians worked under her. She was highly reputable and supervised the emperor’s health too. She also had the authority to teach. The name of this first-ever female doctor was Merit-Ptah, and she lived around 2700 BCE according to archaeologists.
Internal Organs
Even though invasive surgery was not practiced during that time, Egyptians had a good knowledge of internal organs and how they functioned. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest preserved documents regarding medical practices, has illustrations of how practitioners thought organs worked at that time. Where some theories are entirely off, some are exactly on point.
According to the document, the heart has vessels through all four limbs in every part of the body. They knew that, when we breathe, air goes into our heart, lungs, and then our bellies. They also had some knowledge of the liver. They believed that the liver was supplied with liquid and air through four vessels available in the body. When the liver was overfilled with blood, it caused diseases. They believed that the anus was something that let out the waste of arms and legs through vessels when they were overfilled in the form of liquid and air. All this is not exactly on point, but considering the fact that all this was documented in 1550 BCE, it is impressive.
Dental Care
The dental care at that time did not work at all. Despite the fact that Egyptians were so ahead of their time, pulling out an infectious tooth was never adopted by them. The diet of Ancient Egyptians was not good for dental health; the grinders they used to grind their food left sand and stone traces in it, which were naturally abrasive. This led to tooth loss at an early age. To cure teeth problems, Ancient Egyptians came up with some treatments. According to the document, treatment for a toothache was rubbing a powdered mixture of cumin, onion, and incense on a tooth. It did not really work, but it is what they used. To fill a cavity, they used a mix of resin and a greenish mineral that contained copper and drilled into jawbones to drain abscesses of fluid.
Mummification
Mummification is one of the main qualities of Ancient Egyptians. Their mummification process also represented how they functioned as a society and viewed public health. First, the body was dried completely. Then brain tissue was removed using a hook through the nostril. The priests who prepared the body for mummification used to take a good look at the internal organs while preparing it for the afterlife.
Curiously, the priests’ knowledge was never used for medical purposes. Perhaps the physicians and priests never collaborated. This lack of communication seems strange for a civilization that thoroughly documented its ongoings. Perhaps the priests and physicians didn’t communicate because they were each in different circles of work.
The Magic
Ancient Egyptians also relied heavily on magic. They believed that all diseases had supernatural causes. And when diseases are caused by a supernatural power, the remedy should be based on it too. So the treatments were done with magic spells. For relieving a cough, a mixture of a ground, roasted mouse mixed into milk combined with a magic lullaby was supposed to drive off the supernatural evil. The technique actually worked. Scientists believe that the success rate was likely due to a powerful placebo effect.
Conclusion
Egyptian medical treatments were full of flaws, but they also successfully saved lives. Their mummification process was something that seems like a miracle for a civilization to practice at that time. Perhaps they would have eventually figured out a way to relieve tooth pain too. According to documentation, their research was going strong and had led to many discoveries.
