REVIEW BY J PETER PHILLIPS
In contrast with previous works on this subject, which have focused exclusively on the remedies available to ancient Egyptian medical practitioners, this work also considers the subject from the viewpoint of the patient – a more people-based approach. The authors are uniquely qualified for the task: Professor Emerita Rosalie David spent a large part of her career studying the evidence for disease in mummies in the Manchester Museum’s collection, before founding the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, and Dr Roger Forshaw was a dental surgeon before embarking on his second career in Egyptology.
In an introductory chapter, which considers the ways in which the ancient Egyptians viewed disease, an important point is made. The belief in spirits, both benign and malign, was universal, so that the influence of evil spirits was blamed for the spread of infection, where no physical trauma was the obvious cause. The use of magical incantation, amulets, and other such devices could have comforted the patient, and therefore had a placebo effect.
The various providers of medical services throughout ancient Egyptian history are identified. The use and status of midwives and wet nurses is discussed, as is the way in which drugs were prepared and administered. Drawing on Dr Forshaw’s professional knowledge, the provision of dental treatment is included.
