Anatomy and its importance for surgery in ancient Egypt  

作　　者：Patric Blomstedt 

机构地区：[1]Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience,UmeåUniversity,Sweden

出　　处：《History & Philosophy of Medicine》2020年第3期58-67,共10页医学史与医学哲学

摘　　要：Ancient Egypt might be considered the cradle of medicine,but the modern literature is often too enthusiastic regarding the ancient Egyptians skills.We often meet the statement that their surgical skills were to a large extent based on their considerable anatomical knowledge.This anatomical knowledge is supposedly demonstrated by their anatomical vocabulary,preserved and lost literary works related to anatomy,the existence of human dissections and knowledge achieved from the mummifications.However,an analysis of the original sources as well as the modern literature provides a rather different picture of the status of anatomy in Ancient Egypt.The medical papyruses demonstrates a rather confused understanding of anatomy and physiology.Even though a considerable number of anatomical terms are known,it is of interest to note that that those dealing with internal anatomy seem to be dependent on animal slaughter.The existence of anatomical books is only mentioned in late works separated by millennia from the period they are describing,and can thus not be trusted.The texts used as support for the existence of human dissections are either incorrectly translated,or are referring to Hellenistic times.Further,it seems likely that lessons from the graves,traumatic injuries and animal slaughter are more important sources of anatomical knowledge than the mummifications,which have little in common with the human dissections performed in Alexandria during the Hellenistic era.The anatomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians was thus quite limited.However,a very basic anatomical understanding would have been more than sufficient for the simple surgical procedures such as the stitching of wounds,repositioning of fractures and removal of superficial tumors performed in Ancient Egypt.

关 键 词：EGYPT ANATOMY SURGERY HISTORY 

分 类 号：X70[环境科学与工程—环境工程]