Edwin Smith papyrus

The Edwin Smith papyrus is the world's earliest known medical document, written around 1600 BC, but thought to be based on material from as early as 3000 BC. It is an ancient textbook on trauma surgery, and describes anatomical observations and the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of numerous injuries in exquisite detail. The papyrus contains the first descriptions of the cranial sutures, the meninges, the external surface of the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the intracranial pulsations. The surgical procedures given the Egyptian Edwin Smith papyrus were quite rational given the time period. As well as having a magical incantations against pestilence http://www.nyam.org/news/2493.html it also contains a prescription for a wrinkle remover using urea, which is still used in face creams today.

Related Topics:
1600 BC - 3000 BC - Trauma - Surgery - Papyrus - Suture - Meninges - Brain - Cerebrospinal fluid - Intracranial pulsation

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The Edwin Smith papyrus shows that the heart, vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys, ureters and bladder were recognized, and that the blood-vessels were known to come from the heart. Other vessels are described, some carrying air, some mucus, while two to the right ear are said to carry the breath of life, and two to the left ear the breath of death.

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Imhotep is credited as the founder of Egyptian medicine and the original author of the papyrus, although internal evidence suggests it was written and edited by at least three different authors, the last of which stopped mid-word. It is a compilation of 48 battlefield injury cases and the treatments that the victims had received. The treatments are rational, and magic is resorted to in only one case.

Related Topics:
Imhotep - Battlefield - Magic

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