Ancient Eygpt Flashcards
Why was successful agriculture a good thing?
successful agriculture meant that there was spare food so people could become professionals such as doctors and priests.
What advantages did trade bring?
Trade meant there was an increase in communication with other cultures, new herbs and plants were brought over to be used in medicine.
What advantages came from writing?
Now the Egyptians had writing they could record and communicate ideas
What medical theory did the river Nile inspire?
The river Nile led some to believe that, like the Nile and irrigation systems, the body was full of channels and if they became blocked then you fell ill. This theory was not accepted by all and those who believed them still did not abandon spiritual beliefs.
how did Egyptian doctors “unblock the channels”?
They used purging, vomiting and blood letting.
Another example of a natural Egyptian cure?
The ancient Egyptians knew that diet was important, medical procedures included recommended food
mummification definition
Egyptians believed that the dead would need their bodies in the afterlife, mummification involved removing the soft organs such as the brain and intestines and drying the rest with salt. This gave the Egyptians knowledge on anatomy.
Surgery
Dissection for experimental purposes was banned as it was believed that destroying somebodies body meant that they wouldn’t go to the afterlife. drawing of metal instruments for surgery has been found so we know that surgery was practised.
observation
Egyptian doctors used observation of symptoms to diagnose patients.
public health
Egyptians were aware of public health, they bathed, washed, shaved their heads and even changed clothes regularly.
What was new?
There were specialist doctors
Doctors looked for logical causes of disease and could identify parts of the body
metal instruments were used for surgery
new herbs and plants were used for remedies
What stayed the same?
people still held on to supernatural beliefs
There was still little understanding as to how the body worked and what caused disease.
