Daily Life- Medicine

Kali Bate

Common Illnesses

Medicines such as herbs were expected to ease pain only, whereas magic produced the cure.
The age of death was around 35 years.
You could die from bilharziasis, which was a disease that was hard not to catch when you were in a country that was flooded for many months per year.
There were also insect borne diseases such as malaria and trachoma.
Plagues spread through the common trade routes Egyptians went along.

Surgery

Surgery in the early Egyptian years were mainly used if you had wounds, dislocations, or fractures.
It was also sometimes used for the removal of tumors.
Anesthetics, which were made from plants, were used during surgery.

Practicing and Learning about Medicine

If science didn’t work for finding a cure, doctors then turned to magic.
Egyptians have been practicing medicine for hundreds of years.
Doctors that had attended special schools to complete their general education, learned about symptoms of many illnesses.
They also learned how to diagnose and treat the illnesses.
The Ancient Egyptian doctors had a clear understanding of the organs and of the structure of the body.
Doctors knew the importance of the heart, and used the body’s pulse rate to determine the person’s health.
Medicines were made from many different plants, minerals, and sometimes even parts of animals.
The ingredients were mixed with either water, beer, wine, or milk, so patients could drink it. Or, the medicine was mixed with oil, and was applied to the skin.
Ancient Egyptians believed in treating health problems with combinations of magic and medicine.
They thought people became sick when some sort of disease or illness caused worms to form inside the body.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that magic and or medicine was needed to drive away the worms and cure the patient.
The doctors had prescriptions and treatments for multiple illnesses, including those with eye problems, tumors, and snake bites.
Parts of plants and herbs including garlic were used often in their treatments.
Magicians were used to performing magic when other treatments were limited or didn’t provide a cure.
Ancient Egyptian doctors did not perform surgery, but did treat injuries and wounds with bandages and stiches.

Childbirth

The goddess Taweret was the goddess of childbirth. It was essential to say prayers to her.
For childbirth, Ancient Egyptians relied mostly on magic and help by the Gods rather than with medicine.
Prayers, charms, as well as spells were used to protect mothers during pregnancy and childbirth.
Prayers also helped protect babies against childhood diseases and dangers.