Subject(s)
Humans , History, Ancient , Orthopedics/history , Bone Nails/history , Egypt, Ancient , Fractures, Bone/surgery , History of MedicineABSTRACT
Background : Maternity resembled an important issue in ancient Egyptian life and medicine. Ancient Egyptian papyri contained different prescriptions for care of both pregnant women, birthing moms and their fetus/infant babies. The interventions included both: 1) remedies of different origins, and, 2) incantations. Material/Methods:Different Egyptian papyri and temple representation were studied for the variable remedies for specific cases of maternal/ perinatal problems in relation to pregnancy, birth, breast milk and babycare.Incantation approach was also analyzed. We tried to define the specific material used, and the possible "psychogenic influence of the incantation. Results 1. Some of the remedies could be identified and correlated to current time agents. Practical extrapolation of some of these agents proved of value in modern obstetric practice andtherapeutics. 2. Other remedies could not be characterized, and, up-till now, it was not possible to detect whether they could be corresponding to existing material, 3. The incantation approach could be, in some way, correlated to the "deep psychoanalysis" of modern psychiatry. 4. Many of the "non-medical" ancient Egyptian approaches for maternity/baby care are still resembled in some way of use by current time Egyptian women. Conclusion Ancient Egyptian maternal/infant care is a composite approach. Some of the recognized remedies used proved of value in modern clinical application Identification of further remedies seems to open further promise of extra-benefit. Modification of the of the "non-remedy" line might provide a form of "psychotherapy" better tailored for our societies' concepts
Subject(s)
Egypt , Egypt, Ancient , Infant Care , Perinatal CareABSTRACT
Generally, writing about the medicine in the Ancient Egypt, historians adopt an approach rather benevolent than critical, giving to its practice merits that never had. Reading without prejudice the famous twelve papyri -and now one more- we can't less to pronounce a condemnatory sentence, because at the end this medicine looks like a patchwork of ignorance, superstition, magic believes and a pair of grains of knowledge. However, we can rescue its surgical practice, very useful, sometimes efficient, and quite necessary in those centuries of war, slavery and permanent abuse of the weak and the poor people by the high political rulers and priests.
Creemos que, con mucha benevolencia, los historiadores médicos sobrestiman la medicina del Antiguo Egipto, elevando a la categoría de arte o de ciencia una práctica que más tenía de magia. Y, hablando de ella, llama la atención que ésta es bien rara en los papiros más antiguos, donde hay más medicina que superstición, aumentando los conjuros y las invocaciones a medida que más recientes son los documentos encontrados, quizás porque el gremio médico, al ver que los conocimientos terapéuticos empezaban a difundirse entre la masa, quiso mantener la exclusividad de ellos, agregando a la administración de los remedios físicos un ritual misterioso y esotérico, dotando así al ejercicio médico de una raíz sagrada: la magia conserva su encanto hasta la actualidad y hasta los más ilustrados creen en curaciones milagrosas. Sólo son rescatables los aspectos quirúrgicos. El desarrollo de la cirugía y de algunas especialidades que la emplean, como la obstetricia y ginecología, respondía seguramente a la época que se vivía entonces, donde la guerra, la opresión, el abuso y la brutalidad reinantes, favorecían la génesis de heridas, traumas, quemaduras, abortos y accidentes varios, haciendo imperativo su tratamiento rápido y oportuno.
Subject(s)
Humans , History, Ancient , History of Medicine , Manuscripts, Medical as Topic/history , Architecture/history , Egypt, AncientABSTRACT
Tutankhamun was a Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom) in ancient Egypt. Medical and radiological investigations of his skull revealed details about the jaw and teeth status of the mummy. Regarding the jaw relation, a maxillary prognathism, a mandibular retrognathism and micrognathism have been discussed previously. A cephalometric analysis was performed using a lateral skull X-ray and a review of the literature regarding King Tutankhamun´s mummy. The results imply diagnosis of mandibular retrognathism. Furthermore, third molar retention and an incomplete, single cleft palate are present.
Resumo Tutankhamun foi um faraó da 18ª dinastia (Novo Império) do antigo Egito. Estudos médicos e radiológicos de seu crânio revelaram detalhes sobre o estado dos dentes e mandíbula da múmia. Já houve relatos sobre a relação mandibular, o prognatismo maxilar, retroganatismo e micrognatismo mandibular. Neste estudo foi feita análise cefalométrica com radiografia lateral e uma revisão da literatura a respeito da múmia do faraó Tutankhamun. Os resultados levam à conclusão de retrogantismo mandibular. Também estão presentes retenção de terceiro molar e fissura palatina singular incompleta.