History of Medicine - Module 3, Lesson 2

Introduction to the History of Medicine

• Humankind's medical practices date back almost 5000 years to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
• Evidence of early surgical techniques includes prehistoric skulls with intentional bone removal.

Ancient Egyptian Medicine

• Used potent drugs like castor oil (laxative) and opium (analgesic with narcotic properties).
• Little knowledge of anatomy despite advanced embalming skills.
• Embalming processes included preservation of internal organs and extensive rituals involving spices and solutions.

Common Diseases and Treatments

• Common ailments included fractures, pneumonia, urinary infections, arthritis, and tubercular diseases.
• Early treatments mirrored animal behavior, involving cool water immersion, mud application, and pressure to control bleeding.

19th Century Medical Practices

• Medical treatment strongly intertwined with religion and beliefs about divine punishment for illnesses.
• Tribe healing practices included both kindness and cruelty towards the sick, especially during famines.

Mesopotamian and Hebrew Contributions

• Mesopotamia: Focused on hepatoscopy and believed the liver was central to life and blood.
• Hebrews attributed disease to divine punishment and emphasized balancing the four humors (phlegm, blood, yellow bile, black bile).

Ancient Egyptian Deities and Healing

• Key healing deities included Isis (healing), Hathor (childbirth), and Keket (fertility).
• Diagnoses involved probing wounds, pulse-taking, and examining bodily fluids.
• Public health emphasized cleanliness and personal hygiene.

Ancient Indian Medicine

• Emphasized the cyclical nature of life and performed various surgeries, including cesarean sections and snakebite treatment with tourniquets.
• Detected diabetes by analyzing the sweetness of urine.

Ancient Chinese Medicine

• (Note: Additional details on Ancient China were not provided in the text and are thus omitted.)