Medicine Through the Era of Mummies

Sometime in the late 1800’s, the phenomenal Edwin Smith Papyrus and the Ebers

Papyrus were unearthed. The numerous medical practices and beliefs that were first developed in Ancient Egypt were written in hieroglyphics, some of which we still use today in modern medicine. The empire of Ancient Egypt spanned over 3,000 years, from the Predynastic Period to the rise of Rome. The civilization is infamously known for being the birthplace of mummification, yet Ancient Egyptians are not commonly accredited for inventing the application of prosthetics and treatments of fractures and boils. A Swnw (pronounced sew-new), the term used for a doctor or healer who performed such procedures, was a well-established occupation, requiring both status and literacy.

Mummification is a procedure done to preserve the bodies of high-status officials, such as a pharaoh or prince, for successful passage into the afterlife. The first step of many was to wash the body thoroughly and remove the brain via the nasal passageway. This was done with an incredibly sharp hook to mash up the brain. The next step was the removal of the rest of the internal organs like the stomach, liver, intestines, and lungs, which were then dried and preserved in jars found within the tombs. After, the cadaver is soaked in natron, a salt used to remove leftover moisture from the body. The body is then carefully wrapped in linen, wreathed with talismans, prayed over, and buried to finalize the ritual. This procedure came at an immense cost and required much time, effort, and wealth. A significant result of mummification was the discovery of anatomical science. From this, Ancient Egyptians developed an exceptional grasp of the cardiovascular, nervous, and respiratory systems.

The early concept of surgical instruments was introduced in Ancient Egypt. Tools like scalpels, forceps, and hooks were used to drain abscesses formed from infections; doctors would then make incisions through the skin to remove pus and bacteria underneath. Then, various ointments were administered to aid in the healing process. Salves were made from honey, salts, herbs, and oddly enough, moldy bread. This proved to be genius, as Egyptians inadvertently founded the remedy of modern-day penicillin. Whilst performing the entire procedure, they would recite incantations and chant prayers to deities like Imhotep, the god of medicine, and Heka, the god of magic.

Egyptian doctors also dealt with orthopaedic procedures. They’d use splints made

of bark or wood, wrap the affected area in linen, and use paste to harden it into a cast. This

method showed to be very effective and demonstrated their comprehension of bone

structure and function. One of the earliest documentations of the use of a prosthesis was the legendary Cairo Toe. While excavating a tomb, archeologists discovered that a mummified female, presumably a daughter of a high-status priest, had an amputated big toe. In its place was a 3,000-year-old prosthetic toe composed of leather and wood, stitched together with

a flax-like material.

 Many were in awe of the toe due to its meticulous detail; it is apparent that it has been refitted multiple times to correctly fit her foot shape. This is further evidence of the understanding Ancient Egyptians had of human anatomy. The toe was skillfully crafted with the intent of both function and aesthetics; since Ancient Egyptians primarily wore sandals, it would have been difficult and strange to walk around with an amputated toe. There have been other accounts of similar historic prosthetics, such as cartonnage toes, which were made with a paper mache mixture using linen, plaster, and some method of glue.

Contained in the Edwin Smith Papyrus and the Ebers Papyrus were a plethora of other

medicinal findings and techniques used by the Ancient Egyptians, including attempts to

treat cancer and determine early pregnancy. It is remarkable how many parallels can be

made between health science today and the knowledge their civilization had. Though

unlike contemporary practices, Egyptians combined spiritual beliefs with the natural

world. These discoveries have propelled what we now know and have reformed our

perspective of Ancient Egypt to a much greater extent.