Back to the roots - dermatology in ancient Egyptian medicine
- PMID:27027749
- DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12947
Back to the roots - dermatology in ancient Egyptian medicine
Abstract
Although ancient Greek and Roman medicine is generally considered the origin of European medicine, there is evidence in ancient Egyptian texts suggesting a precursor role of ancient Egyptian medicine in this regard. What did Greek and Roman physicians learn from their Egyptian counterparts? Of the medical papyri discovered to date, the largest and most significant - the Ebers papyrus and the Smith papyrus - originate from the beginning of the New Kingdom, however, they were - at least in part - already written during the Old Kingdom. Considering the times, the spectrum of diseases treated as well as the range of conservative and surgical treatment methods was truly astounding. Taking a medical history, performing a thorough manual examination, and assessing clinical findings constituted key components in establishing a diagnosis. Apart from hygienic aspects, skin and hair disorders, the treatment of acute and chronic wounds and injuries as well as cosmetic procedures took on an important role. Even back then, physicians sought to assess inflammatory processes with respect to their cardinal features, implement graded wound therapy, and treat diseases with allopathic drugs. The 'channel theory' prevalent at that time, in which the unimpeded flow of bodily fluids was considered a fundamental prerequisite for health, may likely be regarded as precursor of ancient Greek humoral pathology. The latter became the basis for the subsequently established theory of the four humors, and was thus essential for the entire field of medieval medicine.
© 2016 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Similar articles
- The Edwin Smith Papyrus: the birth of analytical thinking in medicine and otolaryngology.Stiefel M, Shaner A, Schaefer SD.Stiefel M, et al.Laryngoscope. 2006 Feb;116(2):182-8. doi: 10.1097/01.mlg.0000191461.08542.a3.Laryngoscope. 2006.PMID:16467701
- [Methods and possibilities of research in medicine in ancient Egypt].Quack JF.Quack JF.Medizinhist J. 2003;38(1):3-15.Medizinhist J. 2003.PMID:14509232German.
- [The Zagreb Etruscan ceremonial fragment and an ancient Egyptian medical papyrus].Grmek MD.Grmek MD.Lijec Vjesn. 1995 Jul-Aug;117(7-8):194-6.Lijec Vjesn. 1995.PMID:8656978Croatian.
- A historical hypothesis of the first recorded neurosurgical operation: Isis, Osiris, Thoth, and the origin of the djed cross.Filler AG.Filler AG.Neurosurg Focus. 2007;23(1):E6. doi: 10.3171/foc.2007.23.1.6.Neurosurg Focus. 2007.PMID:17961051Review.
- Traumatic brain injuries in the ancient Egypt: insights from the Edwin Smith Papyrus.Kamp MA, Tahsim-Oglou Y, Steiger HJ, Hänggi D.Kamp MA, et al.J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2012 Aug;73(4):230-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1313635. Epub 2012 May 3.J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2012.PMID:22271381Review.
Cited by
- Enhancement strategies for transdermal drug delivery systems: current trends and applications.Ramadon D, McCrudden MTC, Courtenay AJ, Donnelly RF.Ramadon D, et al.Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2022 Apr;12(4):758-791. doi: 10.1007/s13346-021-00909-6. Epub 2021 Jan 20.Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2022.PMID:33474709Free PMC article.
- Historical Perspectives on the Development of Current Standards of Care for Enzymatic Debridement.Heitzmann W, Fuchs PC, Schiefer JL.Heitzmann W, et al.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec 17;56(12):706. doi: 10.3390/medicina56120706.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020.PMID:33348927Free PMC article.
- Gene Therapy for Skin Aging.Saad FA.Saad FA.Curr Gene Ther. 2024;25(1):2-9. doi: 10.2174/0115665232286489240320051925.Curr Gene Ther. 2024.PMID:38529607Review.
- Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment and Diagnosis ofCancer-A Review of the Current Clinical Status.Gunaydin G, Gedik ME, Ayan S.Gunaydin G, et al.Front Chem. 2021 Aug 2;9:686303. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2021.686303. eCollection 2021.Front Chem. 2021.PMID:34409014Free PMC article.Review.
- A Review of Bicarbonate Use in Common Clinical Scenarios.Wardi G, Holgren S, Gupta A, Sobel J, Birch A, Pearce A, Malhotra A, Tainter C.Wardi G, et al.J Emerg Med. 2023 Aug;65(2):e71-e80. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.04.012. Epub 2023 Apr 21.J Emerg Med. 2023.PMID:37442665Free PMC article.Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical