Mesopotamia and Egypt Flashcards
What was the importance of the Hippocratic corpus?
They were the first attempts to separate folk medicine with rational medicine.
Writings included in the Hippocratic corpus were written around what time period?
400BCE
Ancient Babylonians had what two types of medial practitioners?
- Asipu. 2. Asu.
In Ancient Babylonina, what was the Asu considered?
A physician.
In Ancient Babylonina, what was the Asipu considered?
A magical expert.
How did Asipu view disease? What were their treatments?
In a broad context of natural and supernatural powers. Treatment consisted of incantations, rituals, and various regimens designed to drive away the malignant influences on the sick person.
How did Asu (not Asipu) view the treatment of disease and treat patients?
He treated specific symptoms, not inquiring into etiology, by empirical therapy.
Is the Hippocratic corpus considered the first attempt at empirical medicine?
Maybe not. Babylonian Asu may have been.
What kind of therapy did the Hippocratic corpus focus on? Is the Hippocratic corpus concerned with drug therapy?
- It focused on diet. 2. Not really.
What did the Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE) from Egypt depict?
Mish-mash of drugs, preparations, spells, flavorings, perfumes.
What did the Egyptians use as a vehicle for drugs?
Often beer, like the Babylonians.
What was Natron used for?
To dry out bodies for mummification.
Were there pharmacists in Ancient Egypt?
No, only specialized preparerers (technicians).
Were specialized preparers granted any authority over drugs, medicines, or medicine making?
No.
Who prepared medicines in Ancient Egypt?
Physicians and apprentices.
What was one of the oldest articles of widespread trade around the time of the Minoan civilization (3000 BCE) and what did it do?
- Saffron. 2. It was a coloring agent and had minor medicinal use. 3. Had magical reputation.
What did the Mycenaeans use Pennyroyal for?
Preventing births and inducing miscarriages.
In Early Greece, around 800 BCE, what were the 3 relevant professions?
- Iatros. 2. Demiourgos. 3. Pharmakon.
What was the Iatros?
Practical doctor and surgeon.
What was the Demiourgos?
Purifier with drugs.
What was Pharmakon?
Term shifting from spell to drug.
What was the dual tradition of the Greeks around 800 BCE?
Spiritual and practical healing.
Who was the Greek god, Hygieia? (2)
- Goddess of hygiene and medicines. 2. Often seen holding a bowl and with a serpent.
Where does the bowl symbol of pharmacy come from?
Hygeia.
When did healing cults become popular in Greece? What did they involve?
- Around 300 BCE. 2. They involved temples with ritual cleansing and sleeping.
What did the Hippocratic Corpus consider the natural cause of disease?
Stress.
Who was Theophrastus (c. 370 - 287 BCE)?
Formed the basis of botany.
