Anubis god of

healers and
Anthony Rushton embalmers.

Egyptian Medicine

The people of Ancient Egypt made several major medical

discoveries and began treating diseases in a physical manner
alongside older spiritual cures. Though much of the advancement in
medical knowledge and practice was a side effect of religious
ceremonies the effect on public health and knowledge of the human
body was tremendous. Fuelled by a desire to enter the afterlife
Egyptian knowledge of the workings of the body encompassed new
areas of medicine ranging from a basic understanding of anatomy to
the introduction of some surgical skills.

Magic and Religion

Magic and religion were an important part of everyday life in ancient

Egypt. Gods and demons were thought to be responsible for many
illnesses, so often the treatments involved a supernatural relation,
such as beginning treatment with an appeal to a deity. There does
not appear to have existed a clear distinction between what
nowadays one would consider the very distinct callings of priest and
physician.

Doctors and other Healers

There were many ranks and specializations in the field of medicine.

Royalty employed their own doctors, even their own specialists.
There were inspectors of doctors, overseers and chief doctors.
Known ancient Egyptian specialists are ophthalmologist,
gastroenterologist, proctologist and a dentist.

The Practices

The practices of Egyptian medical practitioners ranged from

embalming to faith healing to surgery and autopsy. The use of
autopsy came through the extensive embalming practices of the
Egyptians, as it was not unlikely for an embalmer to examine the
body for a cause of the illness which caused death. The use of
surgery also evolved from a knowledge of the basic anatomy and
embalming practices of the Egyptians.