Mesopotamia and Egypt

Question 1

What was the importance of the Hippocratic corpus?

Answer 1

They were the first attempts to separate folk medicine with rational medicine.

Question 2

Writings included in the Hippocratic corpus were written around what time period?

Answer 2

400BCE

Question 3

Ancient Babylonians had what two types of medial practitioners?

Answer 3

1. Asipu. 2. Asu.

Question 4

In Ancient Babylonina, what was the Asu considered?

Answer 4

A physician.

Question 5

In Ancient Babylonina, what was the Asipu considered?

Answer 5

A magical expert.

Question 6

How did Asipu view disease? What were their treatments?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

How did Asu (not Asipu) view the treatment of disease and treat patients?

Answer 7

He treated specific symptoms, not inquiring into etiology, by empirical therapy.

Question 8

Is the Hippocratic corpus considered the first attempt at empirical medicine?

Answer 8

Maybe not. Babylonian Asu may have been.

Question 9

What kind of therapy did the Hippocratic corpus focus on? Is the Hippocratic corpus concerned with drug therapy?

Answer 9

1. It focused on diet. 2. Not really.

Question 10

What did the Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE) from Egypt depict?

Answer 10

Mish-mash of drugs, preparations, spells, flavorings, perfumes.

Question 11

What did the Egyptians use as a vehicle for drugs?

Answer 11

Often beer, like the Babylonians.

Question 12

What was Natron used for?

Answer 12

To dry out bodies for mummification.

Question 13

Were there pharmacists in Ancient Egypt?

Answer 13

No, only specialized preparerers (technicians).

Question 14

Were specialized preparers granted any authority over drugs, medicines, or medicine making?

Answer 14

No.

Question 15

Who prepared medicines in Ancient Egypt?

Answer 15

Physicians and apprentices.

Question 16

What was one of the oldest articles of widespread trade around the time of the Minoan civilization (3000 BCE) and what did it do?

Answer 16

1. Saffron. 2. It was a coloring agent and had minor medicinal use. 3. Had magical reputation.

Question 17

What did the Mycenaeans use Pennyroyal for?

Answer 17

Preventing births and inducing miscarriages.

Question 18

In Early Greece, around 800 BCE, what were the 3 relevant professions?

Answer 18

1. Iatros. 2. Demiourgos. 3. Pharmakon.

Question 19

What was the Iatros?

Answer 19

Practical doctor and surgeon.

Question 20

What was the Demiourgos?

Answer 20

Purifier with drugs.

Question 21

What was Pharmakon?

Answer 21

Term shifting from spell to drug.

Question 22

What was the dual tradition of the Greeks around 800 BCE?

Answer 22

Spiritual and practical healing.

Question 23

Who was the Greek god, Hygieia? (2)

Answer 23

1. Goddess of hygiene and medicines. 2. Often seen holding a bowl and with a serpent.

Question 24

Where does the bowl symbol of pharmacy come from?

Answer 24

Hygeia.

Question 25

When did healing cults become popular in Greece? What did they involve?

Answer 25

1. Around 300 BCE. 2. They involved temples with ritual cleansing and sleeping.

Question 26

What did the Hippocratic Corpus consider the natural cause of disease?

Answer 26

Stress.

Question 27

Who was Theophrastus (c. 370 - 287 BCE)?

Answer 27

Formed the basis of botany.