Ancient Egyptian-Ancient Chinese Science

Question 1

Imhotep

Answer 1

Considered to be the first physician known by name (Egyptian)

Question 2

Who were the first to record their medical knowledge in a way we understand today?

Answer 2

Egyptian-Priest healers

Question 3

Where did the Egyptian’s medical knowledge come from?

Answer 3

The process of mummification

Question 4

What were believed to be the principle causes of disease?

Answer 4

Invasion of the body by evil spirits or forces

Question 5

Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus

Answer 5

Describes treatments of wounds, fractures, and dislocations

• Also describes pumping function of heart
• Egyptian 1550 BC

Question 6

Ebers Papyrus

Answer 6

• Contains material copied from other sources
• Medical recipes for “diseases of the skin, eyes, mouth, extremities, digestive & reproductive systems, internal organs”
• Egyptian medicine 1600 BC

Question 7

Taoism

Answer 7

A Chinese mystical philosophy believing humans and animals should live in balance with the universe

- 6th century BC
- Lao-Tzu

Question 8

Confucianism

Answer 8

Ancient Chinese philosophy focusing on the importance of personal ethics and morality
- Developed by Confucius, 552-479 BC

Question 9

I Ching

Answer 9

One of the oldest books written in China focused on a dynamic attitude
- No atomism

Question 10

5 Elements/Phases

Answer 10

(Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood)

Chinese philosophy that these elements are associated with other aspects of life such as organs of the human body

Question 11

What is the general trend of thinking in China compared to the West?

Answer 11

China: Taoism (holistic)
West: Atomistic

Question 12

Yin and Yang Theory

Answer 12

Chinese philosophy that two forces of the universe act together in combination to produce all that comes to be

- Yin = feminine (night)
- Yang = masculine (day)

Question 13

What were the Chinese contributions to modern agriculture?

Answer 13

• Plows and hoes: superior Chinese plows are believed to have been brought to Europe and copied
• Horse harnesses: 4-3 century BC
• Seed drill: 2nd century BC
• Biological pest control: 3rd century BC; yellow citrus killer ants on mandarin trees

Question 14

Ancient Chinese contributions to blood circulation

Answer 14

2 types of circulation:
Blood: pumped by heart, moved by arteries and veins (yin)
Ch’i: pumped by lungs, moved by invisible tracts (yang)

• 2nd century BC
• Built demonstration models to show pumping action of heart

Question 15

Ancient Chinese contributions to circadian rhythm

Answer 15

Observed 2,200 years before Western; acupuncture manuals based on circadian rhythms

Question 16

Ancient Chinese contributions to Endocrinology

Answer 16

2nd century BC; isolation of sex and pituitary hormones from human urine

• Used for treatment of problems relating to sex organs (oral consumption)
• Isolated crystals by heat evaporation and sublimation

Question 17

Endocrinology Discovery: why were sex hormones so popular?

Answer 17

Sex was viewed as essential

Question 18

Contributions to deficiency diseases

Answer 18

Diseases caused by lack of something in diet; concepts based of Chinese view of balance in nature

Question 19

Systematic Treasury of Medicine

Answer 19

• 200 AD, Chang Chi

- Suggests dietary treatments for deficiency diseases with a trial and error approach

Question 20

Usage of thyroid hormones

Answer 20

Used to treat goiter (disease related to lack of iodine in soil and water)

• Chinese were aware goiter was related to the nature of water and soil
  
  • Also used seaweed

Question 21

Use of Dried Pox

Answer 21

• 10th century AD, smallpox inoculation
• Transport of dried poxy material (from those inoculated and had developed scabs)
• Poxy put on plug of cotton and inserted into the nose