The practitioners of Ancient Egyptian medicine were very advanced for their time. One of the few cultures that had an extensive and reasonably accurate concept of the human anatomy, Egyptians of this era had a working knowledge of the functions of most major organs. This basic knowledge of anatomy led to the development of more advanced and effective treatments for disease and injury. The theories and techniques of Ancient Egyptian medicine were highly regarded by other cultures and studied by many of the masters of early Greek medicine, forming the basis of many of their own medical advancements.

The mastery of human anatomy evidenced in the writings of Ancient Egyptian medicine was largely due to the mummification ceremonies that were practiced by the Egyptians during these times. Mummification involved the removal of most of the body’s organs, including the intestine, pancreas, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, and brain. Dissection of the human body was a forbidden practice in many ancient civilizations, giving Egyptian practitioners a distinct advantage over their colleagues in other nations in the study of anatomy. Many scholars from ancient Greece studied Egyptian writings on human anatomy to supplement their limited knowledge on the subject.

Ancient Egyptian medicine encompassed a wide variety of practices that included faith healing, embalming, surgery, and autopsy. Autopsy was another practice that evolved from the mummification ceremonies. Embalmers, while preparing the deceased for mummification, often examined the body to determine the cause of the fatal illness. The development of autopsy studies gave Egyptian physicians a greater knowledge of the effects of disease and injury on the body, enabling great advancements in surgical procedures and healing practices.

The advanced knowledge of human anatomy provided to early medical practitioners by the accomplishments of Ancient Egyptian medicine laid the groundwork for many historic medical discoveries. While Ancient Greek medical science is often cited as the basis upon which modern medicine was built, the knowledge of ancient Egyptians must share the credit for the early advancement of medical science

Latest Article: History of Alternative Medicine

The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system, which caused the ailments and strengthen the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle changes and...

Related Articles:

• Medical Help
  As the average lifespan on men and women continue to increase, so does the need for medical help for the elderly.  Many people are faced with parents who wish to maintain their independence...
• Ancient Chinese Medicine
  To find the roots of ancient Chinese medicine, one must reach back through several thousand years of history. As early as the Stone Age, Chinese practitioners were developing primitive medical...
• Ancient Eqyptian Medicine
  The practitioners of Ancient Egyptian medicine were very advanced for their time. One of the few cultures that had an extensive and reasonably accurate concept of the human anatomy, Egyptians...
• Ancient Greek Medicine
  Ancient Greek medicine is widely considered the foundation of the medical knowledge used in today’s modern societies. The first culture known to have applied scientific thinking to the...
• Colonial Medicine
  Life in the colonial United States was one filled with hardship and trial in which life spans were relatively short and the threat of an incurable disease or food shortage weighed heavily on...
• History of Medicine in America
  The history of medicine in America is a patchwork of traditions and methods ranging from those practiced by the Native Americans to English medical practices brought over by the early pilgrims....
• Homeopathic Medicine
  Homeopathic medicine emerged as an alternative to conventional medicine when founded in 1796 by a German doctor and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann, who became discouraged with the practice of routine...
• Internal Medicine
  Internal medicine is the practice of treating the whole person, rather than only symptoms and is a comprehensive treatment often dealing with disease of the internal organs and an attempt to...
• Medieval Medicine
  The medieval period or Middle Ages is generally used to refer to the period of European history from 350 AD to 1450 characterized by the growth of cities and towns mainly under the feudal...
• Naturopathic Medicine
  Naturopathic medicine originated in the early 20th Century by a group of therapists who believed in the healing power of nature. Based on the belief of the body’s inherent ability to heal...
• Renaissance Medicine
  Renaissance medicine was critical to the development of our modern medical system, advancing the science rapidly. As with all intellectual pursuits during the period, the Renaissance stimulated...
• Roman Medicine
  Roman medicine has a rich history and illustrates the contributions to the early stages of an evolving tradition of Western medicine. I believe it is important to first note the use of the...
• Sports Medicine
  Considering the physical demands that are put on athletes in every major sport worldwide there are bound to be many injuries and there are many doctors worldwide that focus solely on sports...
• Diabetes Medicine
  The past thirty years have seen many advances in diabetes medicine. In the past, people who were diabetic, particularly if they had Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, had to eliminate most...
• Women in Medicine
  Through the ages women in medicine have played an important role in shaping how we treat and care for women today. In older times medicine women also known as wise women were whom the villagers...
• Civil War Medicine
  In the eighteen hundreds western medicine was very poor and many doctors did not due anything to prevent infections, and due to this many soldiers died. Civil war medicine practitioners did not...
• Alternative Medicine
  Seeking out alternative medicine is a personal choice, but there are some ways to determine whether or not one would be a good choice for this type of treatment. The first test of whether one...
• History of Medicine
  There is a long and storied history of medicine that can be dated back to approximately 13,000 to 25,000 B.C. where cave paintings have been discovered in France that have shown evidence of...
• Holistic Medicine
  Holistic medicine is often referred to as alternative medicine by many people and it takes a whole different approach to treating illness and overall health. There are many different aspects of...
• Herbal Medicine
  Many of the medicines our ancestors found highly effective in the treatments of many different illnesses were various types of herbal medicine, and there are millions of people in the world...