The Papyrus Ebers: translated from the german version by Cyril P. Bryan [1 ed.] 0890052395, 9780890052396

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OLIN R

127

.P2

J65

1931b

LIBRARY

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MEDICINE : THE PAPYRUS EBERS

ANNEX

Il

PG

Pos mes

{

st

Y

8. &

human

IIS

Translated from the German Version

By

CYRIL

P.

$

2 and

*

BRYAN

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS

CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 1924 073 200 077

LIBRARI ANNEX DATE DUE

AU

NOV

GAYLORD

-

2005

PRINTEDINU.S.A.

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MEDICINE THE

EBERS

PAPYRUS

Translated from the German Version

By

CYRIL P. BRYAN M.B. , B.CH. , B.A.0 . in Anatomy , University

Demonstrator

College , London

With an Introduction by PROFESSOR G. ELLIOT SMITH M.D.

,

D.SC. , LITT.D. , F.R.C.P.

,

F.R.S.

College , London Professor of Anatomy, University

PUBLISHERS INC . CHICAGO MCMLXXIV ARES

OLIN R

127 P2 +6

Reprint of the Edition :

Unchanged

London , 1930 .

ARES

PUBLISHERS

150

INC .

E. Huron Street

Chicago

, Illinois

60611

Printed in the United States of America International Standard

Book Number :

0-89005-004 - X

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number : 74-77905

at the

.

of

,

Those about to study Medicine , and younger Physicians should light their torches the fires the Ancients ROKITANSKY

TO

AIDAN MY BROTHER

:

CONTENTS PAGE

xiii

INTRODUCTION FOREWORD

-

Xxxvii

CHAPTER

I.

II . III .

I

.

AGE OF THE PAPYRUS

OF THE PAPYRUS

DESCRIPTION

6

IO

OF THE PAPYRUS

CONTENTS

IV . PHARMACOPIA OF ANCIENT EGYPT V.

15

MINERAL REMEDIES

19

VI . PLANT REMEDIES

VII .

ORGANIC

VIII . THE

25

REMEDIES

GODS

32

THE HEALING ART

AND

IX . DISEASES OF THE ALIMENTARY SYSTEM STIPATION , ETC. X.

ALIMENTARY SYSTEM

DISEASES OF TH

XI . .

44

INDI

MEDICINE

59

MINOR

SURGERY

67

SYSTEM

78 82

XIV . DISEASES OF WOMEN XV . DISEASES OF THE SKIN

88

XVI . DISEASES OF THE EYES XVII . DISEASES OF THE EAR ,

XVIII . THE

94

NOSE , AND MOUTH

NERVOUS SYSTEM

118

THE HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

XXI . DIAGNOSIS

107 113

XIX . THE ĀĀĀ DISEASE

XXII

:

CON

MINOR

XIII . THE URINARY

XX .

: O

50

GESTION , ETC.

XII

39

O

I 24 133

.

THE HAIR

151

XXIII .

COSMETICS

158

XXIV . DOMESTIC

-

HINTS ix

162

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PLATE

I

Frontispiece

of the

Facsimile

PLATE

II

first page of the Papyrus Ebers.

PAGE

xiv

O

Facsimile of of the Papyrus Ebers . This page is written in two columns , unlike the first particular Appended is a translation page shown in the Frontispiece . into Hieroglyphics , with the German rendering . part

of a page

III

PLATE

169

The desiccated brain of an Egyptian who died more than forty - five centuries ago .

PLATE IV

O

169

A

vesical calculus 3,500 B.C.

( stone in the bladder ) more ancient

than

PLATE V

169

lines layers

the

;

the middle

line

the back

.

;

is

eroded the between the muscular of the head

of

jaw

Egyptian . The the ascending ramus of imflammatory bone extend

Predynastic

to of

Severe mastoid disease in a mastoid process is destroyed

PLATE VI of

171 a

in

of

the

boy buried

the infection a

of

bark splints pair having been one

in

a

of

,

.

up

.

.

a

of

used for setting the broken thigh cemetery

the same

VII of

the

173

A

).

,

(

.

of

xi

in

-

in a

is of

development caries very early stage tubercular the spine small mass caseous tubercular material still present eroded cavity Nubia 2,000 B.C. the

PLATE

set setis in of

This may have been the source that proved fatal The broken bones were which formed tube tied with linen This the earliest splints discovered the other hæmorrhage

to

)

-

(

see

.

a

of

Compound fracture the left forearm both bones patient who died fifty centuries ago within the few hours injury Palm fibre had been pushed through skin wound stop the into the broken ulna the left hand fragment

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

xii

PAGE

VIII -

PLATE

173

Osteosarcoma of the femur from a tomb

Dynasty .

.

caused

ancient Egyptian showing the cancer the throat

of

extensive deficiency

an

173 skull

by

The base of

of

the

IX

PLATE

175

The top

the head

of

of

X

PLATE

of the Fifth

Rameses the Great showing calcified

.

arteries

PLATE XI

175 A.D.

)

. (

an

,

of

early Syrian Christian circa 6th century Hands from Assouan suffering from leprosy

PLATE XII

shown

in

the patient whose liver

is

of

The mummy

Plate

xii .

.

(

a

of

the

)

XIII

PLATE

first

-

of

175

Twenty The mummified liver Priestess Amon Dynasty showing gall bladder packed with stones

PLATE XIV

177

the

179

.

-

to

of

of

of

.

of

of

a

of

Egyptian showing Predynastic wearing The jaw down the teeth with exposure the pulp cavities From the alveolar abscess around the roots the second and third molars inflammation extended upon the surface the jaw around the inferior dental foramen which transmits the nerve the skin the chin region

PLATE XV

179

and indications

,

Akhenaton acromegaly

showing

slight hydrocephalus

.

Pharaoh

of

of

Skull

PLATE XVI of

by

179

.

bone

of

,

a

a

decapitated Nubian whose head was cut off Skull Roman sword which also sliced off part the right temple

INTRODUCTION

It

assumed even by the most learned historians that the history of medicine began with the Greeks , and that before the time of Hippocrates is

often

there was little or nothing that can be called a science of medicine . Yet for more than thirty centuries before the emancipation of human reason in Ionia, numerous practitioners had been attempting to diagnose and

Egypt, Mesopotamia , and elsewhere . Papyrus The Ebers is the longest and the most famous of the documents relating to this more ancient practice of medicine . The Papyrus , although written about 1500 B.C. , is really a collection of bits and pieces of folk -lore , much of it five and some of it treat disease in

to

.

to

scholarship

not from

is

it

,

risking their reputation

for

that most scholars have

refrained

pretending which many

of

surprising

these insuperable difficulties

by

the face

of

In

are

probably twenty centuries older . It is expressed in archaic phraseology , so that many of the terms relating to the diseases and drugs impossible identify

Joachim

, .

criticisms

.

H.

in

by

a

,

,

to

at

a

in

translate technical document present untranslatable the technical terms are provide German translation An heroic attempt ago years many Dr. however was made

This attempt naturally provoked many especially from those scholars who had the xiii

INTRODUCTION

xiv

knowledge to recognize the solecisms . adequate transla But if the time is not yet ripe interesting that tion the Papyrus excuse Eng providing rendering necessary should present available for those lish the only version no

a

in

so

is

at

of

be

for

,

an

for

philological

us

in

.

for

be

to

his

,

it .

an

is

of

who cannot read the scripts Ancient Egypt Hence giving Dr. Cyril Bryan commended English interpretation based upon Dr. Joachim's translation though not slavishly following

),

(

,

of

.

,

a

another medical text the 1862 and was acquired

Edwin Smith Papyrus about by

in

It

.

together with

the longest and most was found tomb ,

Thebes

these documents

,

at

famous

of

*

is

he

the Ebers Papyrus writes The Ebers Papyrus

:

to

of

,

of

of

a

R.

In

book Magician and Leech 1929 Mr. very useful summary Dawson has given the history the various sources our information concerning ancient medicine with particular reference the series ancient Egyptian papyri Concerning

Warren

is

It

in

.

is

,

in

a

is

,

magical throughout except that the back manuscript calendar which has been written studying the difficult importance utmost

of of

on

.

in

of

it

the Egyptologist whose name bears now Leipzig University preserved almost and the perfect condition The contents are medical and the the

and

on

,

.

of

complicated problems Egyptian chronology The Ebers Papyrus was written about 1500 B.C. but there

in

is

It

.

of

a

it

is

philological and other grounds abundant evidence that was copied from series books many cen turies older stated the Papyrus itself that one

INTRODUCTION

XV

First Dynasty ( circa 3400 B.C. ), and another extract is associated with a queen of the passage dates from the

Sixth Dynasty . Such statements as these are of no positive value in dating , because it was in Egypt, as elsewhere, a common literary artifice to ascribe to books a very ancient origin in order to enhance their

value and authority . Fortunately , however , there is no need to rely on such statements for dating Egyptian documents . Our knowledge of the writing , grammar and palæography of the papyri enables us to place them fairly accurately. Probably the books from which the Ebers Papyrus contains excerpts were written during the Twelfth and Thirteenth Dynasties , although it is likely that their subject matter is many centuries older .

The Ebers Papyrus is not a book in the proper of the word : it is a miscellaneous collection of

•

sense

collected from at least forty different sources . It consists mainly of a large collec tion of prescriptions number named ailments specifying the names drugs the the quantities

of ,

of of

a

, of

for

extracts and jottings

A

,

.

and the method administration few sec deal with diagnosis and symptoms another physiological character and describes the passage action the heart and vessels and the concluding each

are

,

110

in

covers

)

lines modern

spells and large columns the average the original roll editor has conveniently divided these elements

text

on

.

22

of a

(

each

which

The

.

being concerned with the treat Freely and suppurating sores

ment wounds interspersed amongst incantations

,

its in

surgical

,

portion

of is of is

,

tions

INTRODUCTION

xvi

length . 877 numbered sections of varying , the considering pathology papyri * In the of the student is at once confronted with a host of difficulties . into

In

full of philological and

the first place , the texts are

lexicographical problems , and they

all

are written in a specialized, concise and aphoristic style abounding in syntactical difficulties . Many of the passages , as already noted , have been copied from older books and show evidence of textual corruption . But the greatest

of

translating into the impossibility great English the names the maladies number

In the identification of

most

the drugs

.'

and the names

of

,

mentioned

of

a

of

of

is

difficulty of

the diseases with which the

of

of

of

information

of

It

disseminate

we

book

to

.

up

Bryan's

,

is of

-

,

such

,

,

of

for

,

to

cope and ancient physicians were trying the drugs they using therapeutic and other measures were purposes the study the Egyptians folk lore both and other people and the survival ancient remedies Dr. the aim great possibilities opens in

lore with many hints How fruitful the use

.

of

give

learning other

This book will

by

in

be

memoirs which

he

number

of

a

in

Dawson

-

of

modern folk lore can the study ancient Egyptian writings has been shown data

has

help the

of of

folk

-

of

be

provide students they may able

to

.

of

departments which investigators Egyptian philology can provide than

of

a

of

.

in

of to

as

particular ancient Egyptian medicine have and reveal the lacunæ our knowledge For our hope gaining fuller insight into the real meaning these cryptic papyri depends largely upon the evidence

the

Mr. pub

INTRODUCTION

xvii

lished . In this connection it is important not to forget that although the merits of many of the ancient materials used in the most ancient pharmacopæias are entirely illusory , at the same time the Egyptians did discover not a few substances whose virtues are recognized

to

-day

as being quite genuine .

For example

many centuries before the Ebers Papyrus was written , the Egyptians had discovered and were using Castor

Oil ; they had recognized certain antiseptic virtues in

Onions ; and their belief in the virtues of a good many substances ,

other

vegetable ,

they used , has been measure of justification .

which

mineral , shown to have a large animal ,

and

Another source of information has recently been tapped and promises to refresh a department of archæology which was threatened with sterility . It adds enormously to the interest and importance of

recently

emphasized

Pentateuch

Professor the

A.

des

extent

to S. in

has

Sprache

zum Ægyptischen

of

Yahouda

Die

treatise

Ihren Beziehungen

,

his

.

them

In

for

such documents as the Ebers Papyrus and also pro interpreting vides a new and fruitful method

,

of

of -

.

—

it

lore

in

medical

by —

the Old Testament and the Egypt contains was inspired language subject Both and matter the Five Books Moses reveal the intimacy the Egyptian influence

which the earlier parts

B

Ancient Nile

the

'

of

'

.

saturated with the language and ideas Egypt Moses himself was the Child

of

,

of

at

to

he

concludes that contrary modern ideas the Pentateuch could have been compiled only the time the Exodus when the writer's mind was and

INTRODUCTION

xviii

and the medical information in the Old Testament is essentially identical with that of the Ebers Papyrus .

A

of the discussion which has taken place with regard to ancient medicine and in particular with what is recorded in Egyptian papyri has been con cerned with the contrast between Rational Medicine great deal

and Magic

;

and no little obscurity has been intro duced into the interpretation of the ancient practice of medicine as a result of these discussions . Hence it is ;

worth while to refer briefly to the essential issue

points at

.

Obviously

to a primitive people lacking in any knowledge accumulated or understanding of disease , the ailments of the body fall into two clearly defined groups . These were in the first place the injuries to the body and such obvious material facts as boils ,

are

we

,

an

as

found were regarded

no

,

early times however obvious cause

which

of

to

of

—

,

interference with some condition which imperilled the existence life the body and for which the rational the vital substance treatment was the addition the life process

in

could

be

, .

certain definite symptoms such constitutional diseases

of In

in

of

even to -

-

ignorant just are ignorant the reasons underlying the manner which the disturbance of health manifests itself we

in as

of many of which ,

day ,

ulcers , and other diseased conditions which could be detected by sight ; and there was the other group of subtle mysterious disturbances , concerning the cause

so

I

.

to

its

something which would increase quantity and peril point specially avert the existence The that

INTRODUCTION

xix

want to emphasize is the fact that there was originally no conflict between the rational and the magical

for

that the things we call magical to - day were originally inspired by rational considerations , for which the people who originally invented these devices believed

so

redness

,

its

upon

.

in

of

as

as

in

they had valid reasons putting faith them Just people early blood was the believed that the substance life and that the virtue blood depended that the red colour and any red

, of

could protect the body from the risk death vast number other materials ideas being life giving and even words acquired the merit treating any and therefore were rational means imperil life condition which seemed other words body remove the vital elements from the

,

-

,

.

to

to

, in of

,

of

,

of

a

,

so

substance

of

,

no

a

in for

in

it

be

may protested that many the therapeutic adopted Papyrus measures the Ebers are not simply drugs which had acquired reputation which there justification adequate the nature but were was

But

,

'

'

or '

'

as

.

of

spells and incantations Nevertheless these different rites which Dr. Alan Gardiner has distinguished manual and oral —the doing something with the

or no by

As

of

.

,

In

.

—

in

to

saying something with the mouth cure disease were clearly inspired the beginning rational considerations the beginning there was distinction whatever between science and religion knowledge grew the between magic and reason hands

the time formulated certain general knowledge theories and they applied the principles enunciated include sorts other applications

of

the general principle

which

of

all

,

to

so

of

wise men

were

not originally

INTRODUCTION

XX

included in that principle when it was first formulated . Hence all sorts of devices became drawn within the ambit of the generalization because to those learned in the traditions of their system such applications of the general principle seemed to be rational and justifi But when the validity of the general principle was destroyed, the practice, which had acquired a certain hold on the imagination as the result of long

able

.

tend to persist as a cherished belief long any had been des scientific justification after troyed in

Predynastic cemetery

Upper

of

,

in

For example Egypt discovered

a

.

for it

use , would

of

reason

,

life giving substance was due

of

emerge

,

as

,

to

from these cracks the sixty centuries ago believed their

seen

of

the

when the mud left the the rays the sun and

by ,

fact that after the inundation falling river became dried mice were Egyptians

Ancient

The

believe that the faith

in

in of

my book

by to

is

given

-

the mouse

a

as

.)

is

esting material Egyptians There

to

.

(

of

I

in

small children nearly sixty ago who had died centuries the remains mice which had been skinned and eaten just before their death An account the finding this inter the stomachs

the

the life giving virtues

by of

by

-

,

to

day that these mice modern representatives believe were actually formed from the mud deposited the they represented very quintessence river and that the —

,

in

.

,

,

-

to

of

of

life the river itself year year barley that manifested itself the which provided food for human beings and from which according their traditions the bodies and the very life the men themselves were also formed Hence

INTRODUCTION

xxi

regarded as one of the most potent elixirs of life , and therefore appropriate remedies for saving life under desperate circumstances . Learned men have known for several thousands of years that these mice were

there is no justification for this belief in the virtues of mice as a drug , and yet it has persisted through the practised in England at the present day by thousands of people who have not the least suspicion of the origin of so remarkable a practice. ages and is surreptitiously

its

of

Those who are acquainted with the facts of biology and the principles of therapeutics know perfectly well that the giving of a mouse to a sick child in extremis life than any other kind is no more likely to save a

is

;

is

on

,

it

a

as

of

.

is

tender and digestible Such wise men magical pro would regard the giving mouse cedure which indeed but this not incom patible with the fact that originally this practice was meat diet that

as

of

we

,

it

purely rational grounds and devised has become magical only because have learned that the reasons drugs are which dictated the original use mice to

With regard

of of

.

invalid

,

;

a

to

in

spells and incantations the use religion the oral rites development early the acquire great reputation for power came the

of

to

by

in

done

.

wish that they should

the firm belief things simply be

the

king

do of a

of .

a

expressing

was part

to

be

lives their subjects superhuman power

of It to

of

to

it .

a

to

of

at

of

certain statements the opening the mummy were supposed mouth confer life upon The statements certain kings and deities were protect the supposed able confer life and recitation

The

INTRODUCTION

xxii principle

is expressed

very wittily by Gilbert in the Lord High Executioner

opera , The Mikado , when the

explains to the Mikado that when he ordered a certain person to be executed the execution was as good as done , and if it was as good as done it was done, and if

it

was done why not say so

?

This verbal juggling

really illustrates the sort of reasoning which occurred among primitive people, and enables us the better to understand what was involved in spells and incanta tions as potent influences in the treatment of disease . People who had not learned that death itself was the inevitable fate of every human being , but that when it did happen it was the result of some injury to the body other living creature , naturally assumed that interference with the normal health of a inflicted

by

some

person which was not due to any observable cause , might be produced by some creature having obtained possession of the body and requiring to be driven out in order to free the body from the element which was disturbing it . Once people got the idea that these living beings , whether we call them spirits or not little , occupied the body and caused these disturbances , it was perhaps not irrational to believe in the power of some verbal admonition addressed to the malicious cause of the disease to be efficacious in matters

expelling

it . Hence spells and incantations were simply rational systems of dealing with a particular ailment in accordance with the current theory of the etiology of the disease . originally

Once this idea is realized that what we call magic is simply the persistence of fallacies which were rational

INTRODUCTION

xxiii

applications of a general theory, we will recognize that the principles underlying such primitive medicine , as recorded in the Ebers Papyrus , are not essentially different from those which inspire the treatment of disease in modern times . In both ages there were theories of the nature of disease ; the treat ment was inspired by a rational application of the knowledge in the light of this general theory . In medicine at the present time there are no doubt

of all

general

in

to

in

it

we

—

it

in

in

of

interpreting the etiology fallacies both diagnosing attempting disease and and treat rationally attempts which fifty years hence may

sorts

of

as

If

it

at

,

.

of

in

be

many cases regarded regard the same way magical practices growth past the the the knowledge eliminates error the same time creates to

we

of

of

diagnosis and nonsensical methods those the Ebers Papyrus must

as

of

accumulation

.

to

,

to

magic magic which the next generation will learn discover and exorcise Hence understand the vast

,

of

in

to

treatment such try put ourselves those men thirty the position ago knowledge centuries who lacked the and experience to

of to

a

as

do

to

to

is

it is

aside

by

in

,

to

explain Egyptian such attempts the moment more useful help towards identifying the diseases which are dis cussed the Ebers Papyrus call attention the provided actual evidence the dead bodies the ideas what

at

Leaving

it .

a

of of

to

,

in

our ancestors have gained the intervening centuries sympathize with their attempts penetrate and try constitutional disease and into the elusive mysteries treating discover rational means

INTRODUCTION

xxiv

ancient Egyptians of the ailments that afflicted them in the times when these ancient documents were

;

written ; and perhaps I can best do this in the form of a personal narrative by giving a brief sketch of my own experiences in Egypt, and how I acquired a certain acquaintance with the pathological conditions which prevailed in the country at the time when the materials put together in the Ebers Papyrus were being accumu lated .

A

I

arrived in Egypt in 1900 , my W. H. R. Rivers , wrote to me from the camp at El Amrah , near Abydos in Upper Egypt, where Dr. Randall - MacIver and the late Mr. few weeks after friend , the late Dr.

Anthony

were excavating a Predynastic I would be interested to see in the

Wilkins

if

cemetery, asking

to to

record

1902

page

organ

as

of

delicate

the

.

brain

an

brief report upon the amazing phenomenon

the natural preservation

of

July

visit

on

and Physiology

,

year put

,

in

Anatomy

so

)

375

the following

,

Journal

of

camp and a

(

his

-

I

.

iii )

In

recognizable ( Plate response invitation from Dr. Randall MacIver went easily

an

skulls of these people ( who had died more than fifty five centuries ago ) desiccated brains so well preserved that a great many of their anatomical features were

a

of

-

which Dr. Randall MacIver it

,

in

to

to

the Museum send Surgeons London where very interesting pathological a

of

(

ever saw contained large whose pelvis was

I

the Royal College provided the material

vesical

a

calculus Plate generously permitted

iv me ), in

skeleton

grave that

boy

for

the

of

The first Egyptian

INTRODUCTION

XXV

56 ,

a

).

this pathological

stimulated my

condition

look for further evidence

of

in to of

,

record interest

in

of

,

of

the

report by the late Professor S. G. Shattock ( ' A Pre historic or Predynastic Egyptian Calculus ' : Trans Pathological Society actions of London Volume discovery the stone page The 275 1905 other bladder several thousand years earlier than any the incidence

of

an

.

ancient times

disease

he

in

Egypt which

an

-

-

of

for

intensive

.

an

exceptional opportunity afforded me search for such information

ed

El

at a

(

of

of

on

to

light spot the eastern side the Nile almost opposite Amrah village Naga the site the modern Der

,

was bringing

, ), on

at

of

in

to

A.

A

few weeks later invitation from Professor George the Reisner collaborate with him study the earliest human remains that time known

of

of

a

;

of

:

In

this early cemetery three pathological conditions one was the incidence were exceptionally common arthritis another was series severe cases

;

of

)

of

.

a

for

,

later treating found

enumerate

,

was

.

to

injuries

shall not attempt

an

of

a

(

is

however

,

,

which

great variety

of vi .)

Altogether

I

fractures

about thousand years splints the which were used the forearm Plate

that

a

,

example

of of

Dynasty

a

in

of

a

,

in

,

of

(

v

and the third was the fracture the ulna about commonly two inches above the wrist more the left undoubtedly fending ulna women the result heavy stick with the left arm blow from The interest this particular fracture was increased when tomb the Second we found on the same site mastoid disease Plate remarkable frequency

INTRODUCTION At Shellal Roman Fort was

of particular interest .

are

( First Cataract ),

trench outside

a

a

found to contain 104 bodies of Nubians

of

Two of them

all

xxvi

whom hanged had been executed Most them had been interesting and note that the noose the rope usually did not catch the neck does modern hanging but the head the bones which were forced in of

of

it

as

of

,

One sword

.

the shock

Only about

.

these Nubians had had his

tubercular disease was extremely rare

.

Evidence

a

off with of

head cut

,

of

.

to

it is

by

apart

,

in

of of

vii .

in

in

.

at

the cemetery

of

)

,

them Plate viii were found three the Giza Pyramids the Fifth Dynasty

of

osteosarcoma

(

of

.

is

,

of

),

(

,

in

a

dozen typical examples tubercular Egypt caries were found and Nubia which the most ancient circa 2000 B.c. and the earliest stage Plate shown the disease the development Malignant disease was also very rare Several cases

of

of

of

than the Pyramid Age

ages

The head

,

a

ix

(

of of

all

of

of

,

former the cases part the skull Plate the base Calcareous disease the arteries

was common

in

of

.

The cancer the throat the just mentioned destroyed large ).

,

of

-

of

of

only two other types malignant disease was found cancer the pharynx and cancer the twenty later centuries them more than rectum both Evidence

)

x

(

xi )

(

at

of

in

Plate

xii )

stones was found

(

gall

-

One instance

of

.

a

and that First Cataract in

leprosy was discovered Plate Syrian Christians cemetery the

case

of

Only one

.

of

a

.

Rameses the Great Plate temporal mysterious shows calcified arteries and also sign painted upon the top the scalp

INTRODUCTION the mummy of a Priestess of Amon died at Thebes about 1000 B.C.

xxvii

( Plate xiii ), who

When I first visited Dr. Reisner at Naga - ed -Der he asked my advice on a curious controversy that was agitating the minds of archæologists and pathologists . A famous excavator working in the Predynastic cemeteries found injuries on many of the bones which at first sight looked like the results of gnawing , and put forward the claim that such evidence revealed the former existence

of cannibalism in Egypt . A French

excavator submitted similar Predynastic bones to a well - known pathologist in Lyons, who expressed the opinion that these earliest Egyptians were suffering from syphilis , a disease unknown before the Middle Ages . In The Lancet of August 22nd , 1908 , I have published a report of the results of my inquiries into the nature of these bone - injuries that were so strangely interpreted . Briefly the facts were that these so - called ulcers or gnawings were invariably found at the under surface

of the

bones as they lay in the ground , and in several

cases burrows leading through the soil could be traced

to the damaged patches . On examining the edges of the so - called ulcers with a lens , it was shown that the gnawing was due neither to human teeth nor to the spirochæte , but to small necrophilous beetles which had produced these injuries long after the burial of the bodies . As a matter of fact, after examining the remains of something like thirty -thousand bodies of ancient Egyptians and Nubians , representing every

INTRODUCTION

xxviii

period in the history of the last sixty centuries , and from every part of the country , it can be stated quite confidently that no trace whatever even suggesting syphilitic injuries to bones or teeth was revealed in

Egypt before modern times . Nor

was any case of true human skeleton, although in some domestic animals , in particular some of the sacred monkeys kept in a temple of Thebes , distortions suggestive of rickets were found .

rickets found in

a

ate

Both in Nubia and Egypt the ordinary form of dental caries was exceedingly rare in Predynastic and Protodynastic times , and among the poorer classes it never became at all common until modern times . a

coarse food mixed with However , as these people considerable amount of sand the teeth became

and very often the pulp cavities the exposed dental the fertile soil

-

of

In

,

rapidly worn down

to

it is

;

of of

a

,

.

were exposed pulp septic infection found much readier means attack than the hard resisting enamel and dentine the tooth itself afforded hence common

explained

). be

of

is to

of

of

(

find alveolar abscesses without dental caries Plate xiv Most the dental diseases the archaic Egyptians the ancient Nubians and the poorer classes

of

as

by

In

.

,

of as

,

.

in

this way Dental caries although extremely rare before the Pyramid Age became common people soon learned luxury the cemetery the time the

in

,

-

of

to

of

)

(

of

,

at

ancient Empire excavated the Hearst Expedition the Giza Pyramids more than five hundred skele tons aristocrats the time the pyramid builders light and these were brought circa 2800 B.c.

INTRODUCTION it

bodies

found

was

xxix

tartar -formation ,

that

dental

slightest

the

suggestion

were adopted spite and

that

any

a

no

in

There

is

.

coarse uncooked vegetable diet

operative

to

a

on

,

in

of

every form wide prevalence dental among wealthy people indulge disease the who luxurious diet and the relative immunity from such ailments among the poorer people who lived mainly —

of

thing

the

caries , and alveolar abscesses were at least as common as they are in modern Europe to - day . At every subse quent period of Egyptian history one finds the same

trace

,

a

any attempt deal caries and alveolar

.

his

in

with the extreme condition jaws inflammation found

to

revealed

of of

,

expression

no

,

at

.

of

-

III in

to

of

in

,

,

in

cope with dental order frequent trouble statements the contrary tooth stopping was never practised ancient Egypt Even the mummy Amenophis often called The Magnificent who reigned time when Egyptian power and luxury had attained their fullest measures

The most remarkable controversy that developed of

1912

often stated that his chief ambition was

to

to

of

,

in

Davis who financed the excavations the Valley Kings the Tombs the near Thebes from 1903

of

.

It

.

,

,

is

,

is

of

of

special out the study the Royal mummies interest and even now nearly twenty years after the was concerned with the not yet settled event heretic king Akhenaton The late Mr. Theodore

dis . of

,

by

of

III

1907 the announcement was made

(

In

of

cover the tomb the famous Queen Tiy the wife the Pharaoh Amenophis the Eighteenth Dynasty

Professor

INTRODUCTION

XXX

Mr. Davis had I knew nothing

Times that found the tomb of the famous Queen . Sayce ) in a letter to The

more about this matter until about three months later , when , in July 1907 , the Inspector of Antiquities in to me in

sent

all

Upper Egypt, Mr. Arthur Weigall , box containing

an

of

at

had

of

he

say that

a

for the bones were those received the somewhat this

I

discovered

of

.'

, ‘

Splendid one word throughout afterwards that the course

I

to

to

in In

.

reply

to

Mr. Weigall

telegraphed Luxor sent the wrong skeleton young man cryptic reply

I

of , to a

I

to

.

of

Cairo a a skeleton which he said was that was left the famous Queen On opening this surprise my found not the bones box intense young man and old lady but those once

but her son's

The archæological

the heretic

evidence seemed

no

,

to

the excavation

that the tomb was not

,

,

the famous Queen

king Akhenaton's

.

that

of

Mr. Weigall had maintained

or

(

at

about twenty three development had been -

age

of

an

point

to

to

,

of

seemed

a

room for doubt that the bones were actually difficulty now arose those the heretic king but from the consideration that the anatomical evidence leave

of

in

,

.

of

six

I

In

-

all

at

),

if

,

the process most thirty exceptionally delayed whereas the historical evidence suggested that Akhenaton was least thirty and probability thirty years age considering this difficult problem naturally

.

.

be

is

to

1901 which

In

in

Froehlich

dystrophia adiposo genitalis

-

as

described

by

in

of

to

turned consider those pathological conditions which might cause the delay the union the epiphyses Of these the most likely seemed the syndrome now known

this condition the

age may still persist

in

years

xxxi at a

of

bones at thirty -

in six

INTRODUCTION

.

bringing

anatomical evidence into

the

In

possibility

-

-

of or

condition which the normal individual they reach twenty two twenty three Hence this suggested one

of

of in

of

by a

us

to

,

of

is

.

harmony with the historical data support this very peculiar suggestion there anatomical the features Akhenaton when alive which have been large series made familiar contemporary These pictures reveal features found Froehlich's syndrome and afford valuable support the the suggestion that this was the real cause delay the fusion the epiphyses addition

to

In

.

xv )

in

of

for

.

portraits

is

such

Froehlich's

a

often asso syndrome

,

ciated with the development

as

hydrocephalus

of ,

slight degree

of

.

is

,

-revealed

(

Plate —both the brain case and face important peculiarities There certain

this the skull

a

to

be

of

.

of

and also the overgrowth the mandible that results from interference with the pituitary The full solution this problem cannot made until the bones are submitted much fuller investi gation than

was permitted

in

of

a

a

of

,

in

to

I

make 1907 but when accomplished this has been the solution com paratively simple anatomical problem will throw decisive light upon one the most critical events

.

to at

of

at

its

of

all

of

;

of

the whole history civilization one which was ruling charged with the fate the nations the world that time and which left impress upon the history large the world all

and anatomical

and

a

historical

,

relevant facts

,

the

of

a

is

It

only right say that this diagnosis has been suggested only after very careful consideration

interpretation

.

the possibilities

of

The all

sifting of

In

INTRODUCTION

xxxii

the to

I

)

I

a

,

in

of

(

Royal Mummies which volume contributed Catalogue the General the Cairo Museum 1912 have made full statement of all the evidence that its of

was then available concerning the remains

Akhena

I

of

an

.

of

overgrowth the jaw such and the gradual assumption

as

(

xv ), ,

in

in

signific ton's skeleton and 1923 discussed my little book Tutankhamen ance The slight early hydrocephalus the indication Plate

of ,

in

of

of

go

.

-

be

by

of

,

a

of of

a

,

acromegaly occurs feminine contour figure with delayed union the epiphyses suggest possibility the that the solution the problem dys provided Akhenaton may the diagnosis trophia adiposo genitalis

This diagnosis however

, an

in

(

at

to )

I

,

on

,

,

unchallenged does not January and certain criticisms were raised when interesting problem 18th 1928 discussed this address the medical students Westminster 25 ).

,

be

he is

often

had been

goes

with

possible explanation

of

.

-

adiposo genital dystrophy found this difficulty may

A

,

if

as

of

he

the father three daughters whom depicted fondling with paternal pride afflicted with the sterility that usually

so

It

(

,

(

),

in

Hospital Guthrie Society which was published their journal Broadway Spring 1928 page was argued that Akhenaton could not have been

no

-h

of of

we

.

his

of

of

in

the fact that the onset may dystrophy not have occurred until after the the daughters Of the life istory king birth

of at

-

as

a

a

so

of

.

of

complete Egypt have Akhena record ton's The sculptors his time made series portrait statues and bas reliefs which depict him

INTRODUCTION

art

Xxxiii

that the actual appearance

at

of

of

his

at

he

If

.

as

he

to

he

no

is

offspring an

his

of

between

father

was twenty

this why might reason not twenty have been the the ages fifteen obviously treated these children whom

the true history there

of

is

have gradually developed after

he

',

'

in

we

as

If

.

revealed

us

Akhenaton naturally and realistically different representations accept ages true them we was not personal appearance can assert that abnormal his teens and that the dystrophy must

is

convention

of

to so

various stages of his career . Fortunately , also , this period had become freed from the shackles

to

,

,

to

.

of

on

I

to

express authoritative am not competent opinion this dystrophy the symptoms and results venturing suggest years ago Some however before the only possible explanation

I

Professor

Barker's

in

Dr. Harvey

G.

by

written

Llewellyn

F.

,

genitalis

-

adiposo

of

on

I

,

as

it

could discover apparent eliminate the conflict between the anatomical and the historical evidence consulted the full report history dystrophia the and manifestations Beck

Endocrinology

and by

).

,

,

I,

of

we

to

,

an

all

of

to

a

It

(

page 859 New York Volume 1922 reported seems me that the actual cases Dr. possible explanation Beck afford know Akhenaton's symptoms and also answer the Metabolism

is

fat

in

.

,

an

as

-

of his

of

of

objections that have been raised against the suggested adiposo genital dystrophy the solution diagnosis Sterility the enigma case presents not dystrophy certain victims this invariable result or

.

of

be

of

which either the excessive development the present without the other genital disability may

INTRODUCTION

xxxiv

In these notes I have attempted to summarize what little we know of the incidence of disease in ancient Egypt, not merely such complaints as arthritis and mastoid disease which are mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus , but also of other ailments that have not been recognized in the writings . It is now coming to be recognized that studies in Egyptian philology alone are not likely to solve the difficulties of interpretation of the medical papyri . The survival in Egypt and elsewhere of ancient archaic terms and ancient remedies is pointing the way to the understanding

of much that Egyptian otherwise would be obscure in the texts . As I have already stated the comparative study of folk - lore and herbals , the investigation of mediæval leechdom and pharmacopoeias , is providing information for the identification of diseases and drugs and a welcome illumination of the principles underlying the ancient physician's methods of practice. Hence Dr. Bryan's book , even than

if

general

direct attention to the Egyptian medical

it does no more nature of the

documents , will serve the useful purpose of appealing to students of folk - lore and archæology, of herbals and theology , to be alert for clues which may solve problems of

contents of the

exceptional interest that appeal to the deepest desires of every human being to safeguard health and life itself . Since the foregoing paragraphs have been printed Professor James Henry Breasted's sumptuous mono graph on the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus — the

INTRODUCTION has

XXXV

no

work

he

,

ancient medical treatise

for

.

to

the most interpret

has summoned

to

Breasted's

ambitious attempt that has ever been made his an

English

has been translated into is

Medicine Moreover Professor

treatise

.

of

on

to

no

it is

by

result of ten years ' intensive investigation — been Chicago Press Hence published the University longer correct say that Ancient Egyptian

all

on

.

to

of

all

Egyptian philology and the resources superb scholarship used his and insight discover the subtle meaning underlying the cryptic phraseology He has provided the material the Egyptian side aid

to

,

is

so

that the way now ready institute comparisons with Hebrew and Greek literature and using the

in

to

for

.

so

is

,

to

of

,

of

bring Professor Yahouda's method illumination the writings these three ancient peoples whom different ways our own civilization deeply indebted The issue of Professor Breasted's treatise does not

technique

,

.

London

,

August 1930

Elliot

SMITH

.

G. University College

for

demand

.

-

as

former will provoke should extend such guide books the latter

the

the

.

as

of

popularization minimize the need such works contrary Bryan's the increased interest On the Dr.

AUTHOR'S

FOREWORD

LITTLE more than fifty years ago there came into the possession of a German Egyptologist a roll of papyrus that was destined to prove the oldest book the world possesses . It could not have fallen into worthier hands , for within three years there issued in two beautiful volumes not only a facsimile of the whole papyrus but, as well, a German translation and a Hieroglypho Latin glossary : the whole work constituting a monu ment to German scholarship admiration of all time .

And yet, after

a lapse

that

commands

of more than half

a

the

century ,

the English - speaking student seeks in vain an English translation of this most ancient of books !

It

is incredible

.

A

country so intimately connected

with Egypt, whose most treasured

possessions

reflect

the culture and the glory

of that ancient land , and which has produced so many eminent men skilled in the lore and learning of Egypt cannot afford to ignore for ever this document that has come to us from out

the very womb of time .

It is not that the Papyrus is

inaccessible . As fresh and as perfect as when it was penned some four thousand years ago it reposes to - day in the library of the University of Leipzig , while every xxxvü

AUTHOR'S

xxxviii

FOREWORD

library of note throughout the civilized world boasts at least one of those beautiful facsimile editions which

for it

we owe to the discoverer's unquenchable energy . And it is not that its value has decreased with the

of

,

he ,

man who

of

first place Anatomy

only

,

in

of

our greatest 1893 has put

,

a

of In

it .

the

,

of

a

:

?

is

be

.

no

L.

could cope successfully with Physician knowledge for be a

complete English

One writing

Griffith record his opinion the sort

,

on

it

.

sure the preparation easy task

edition will Egyptologists

be

be

To

in

book

still remains the most ancient complete the world Can that the task too great

F.

years ,

must

Phy

likely

in he

.

a

of of

a

he be he

;

be

,

in

,

siology and Nosology sine qua non Then must familiar with the Egyptian language and sym pathy with the ideas and methods these ancient knowledge peoples the substances must have as

be

;

to

available and used medicinal com pounds only must conversant not with Savage and Primitive Medicine but with Classical and

a

.

to

on

,

as

he

of ,

.

so

Practice well since they were inter Lastly the work bear must bring woven knowledge modern Egyptian diseases and their native treatment Mediæval

having admirably arrayed the qualifica tions needed for the task Griffith bluntly proceeded

that constitutes

to

it

warrant

,

probably was and

and

for

true

—

is ,

But even were that true

all .

one person possessed them

—

that

no

declare

no

,

,

so

Then

shirking the

AUTHOR'S

FOREWORD

xxxix

of

is

it

to

,

of

a

to

all

go

responsibility . Though there be no one person to combine in himself the qualifications that would interpretation perfect the letter into English Papyrus and the spirit the Ebers not very imagine difficult that the scientific world could pro

is

;

he

on

to

;

it

,

in

is ,

It

his

.

or

duce three four men who working concert could encompass the task unfortunate that Griffith way clear amplify the partial himself did not see translations that has published occasions —

is a

, it

especially more than unfortunate distinct loss when we observe that same scholar's translations of

he

he

.

,

a

in

of

the British medical papyri those fragments Museum dating back thousand years earlier than the Papyrus Ebers

Papyri

Not

the

noted

,

be

not

it

Books ,

( by ;

Most Ancient

Most Ancient of

the Papyrus Ebers

of

claim made

for

.

One word more

is

.

of

German and other translations tion into English the Egyptian original

of

,

a

so ,

do

is

.

for

-

it ,

But has not done neither nor those others whose life long studies and researches should have fitted them the task Until they the English speaking student offered this little volume rendi

.

of of

a

in

,

of

are

a

or

a

.

Ebers leaf

fact score more them centuries older than the Papyrus But these papyri are not books any more than several leaves torn from modern volume all

,

papyri

point

or

Europe there

of

,

)

it

.

more than two years distinction the latter can claim thousand Indeed scattered about the museums and libraries

xl

AUTHOR'S

FOREWORD

For the most part they of scraps papyrus , torn and bedraggled and much

constitute the volume itself . are

the worse for wear by their passage through the ages , and only partly legible . The papyrus discovered by

Ebers , however , complete to

the most minute detail ,

and legible from first to last, is a book , a real book , and nothing but a book , and , as clearly on this ground as on the score of age , justifies the claim made for it to be the Most Ancient Book in the World

.

CYRIL

BRYAN .

THE PAPYRUS EBERS I

CHAPTER

AGE OF THE

It

PAPYRUS

of 1872 that the German Egypto the of Ebers , came into possession his bears according papyrus which to the usual custom vicinity excavating of Thebes he the in name . Whilst day approached by Egyptian , who , was one a wealthy was in the winter

logist, Georg

journey from discovered, had made the Luxor expressly to see him . When however the Egyptian produced nothing more exciting than apractically worthless papyrus and a modern statue of Osiris , so he

of

anything

value that was being held back The Egyptian thereupon disappeared day reappeared and The next handedt Ebers metal case Inside wrapped old mummy cloths which must have taken the was papyrus the sight a

a

,

-

of

.

,

in

o

he

.

.

handsomely

for

diplomatically Ebers suspicions were aroused and he informed his visitor prepared to pay that he was

a

if

,

as

on

a

of

;

,

as

;

of

;

the

.

in

Egyptologist's breath away The huge roll was writing both perfect state preservation red and blackstood out clear and vivid but day written the previous and calendar the back a

to

'

.

his

of

the value

I

of

had some idea

a

be

!

a

at

page indicated the first date the very latest thousand years before Christ But Ebers joy was tempered with little uncertainty The Egyptian

property and fixed the

THE PAPYRUS

2

was beyond Ebers , and for a

. It

price accordingly

EBERS

precious manuscript time the fate of the trembled the balance. However, the timely appearance of a wealthy compatriot , Herr Gunther , disposed of days

his

Ebers

was

.

As

treasure

Leipzig

it he

the

world

the

his

in

to

had not only

but hadgiven

into German

in

it

translated

,

already stated

the University years less than three

of

in a few Germany to to deposit

of

; and

Library

the

in

in

financial difficulty returning hot- foot

in

-

a

by

,

,

;

facsimile two wonderful volumes while friend and companion Stern had enriched the work Hieroglypho Latin beyond measure appending

fate

the

of

more the

without the he

of

that

few years the man who could all

by .

a

should have missed have madeplain most

exercised

irony the

was

of

finder

It

interpretation

its

o

it

its

of

ingenuity

and

its

.

,

a

struggle

up

or

the

on

calendar

page had exercised front him perfect preservation beauty than the the document But was nott give secret reverse

first

the

all

for

Ebers

far

of

.

consideration

the Papyrus was From the beginning

the

age

The

of

.

glossary

to

in

his

!

,

a

in

a

,

of

previously had discovered mummy legs tomb Assassif near Thebes ... and then died However publisher the time the was ready with facsimile

by El

only fourteen years Papyrus between the

at the

—

of

a

—

in

the puzzle who could probability have opened new and intensely interesting chapter Egyptian history native who this was the

years the

1553-1550 B.C.

a

'

his

Challenged

at

dated from

',

on

,

edition 1875 Ebers was able declare with probability bordering certainty that Papyrus

AGE OF THE PAPYRUS

3

by Ebers has first in various quarters, the date fixed definitely by since been confirmed such authorities Ehrmann of Berlin , and Griffith of Oxford , both of whom have identified the King in Amen -Hotep

transcribed as Eighteenth Dynasty

I

reign it whose

, who reigned in Egypt exactly

hundredyears before the now came to the throne .

two

was

Pharaoh of the

, a

Tut

familiar

Ankh - Amen

one

'

fact the only one then known Alexandria writing A.D. 200 and again A.D. 363recorded that the Egyptian .

,

in

in

lamblichus

Papyrus was nothing less Books the Ancient

,

,

Clement

in in of

Egyptians

that

Hermetic

the

the

of

he claimed

than

of

date :

his

But Ebers was not content with merely fixing

',

to

‘

by

.

of

-

priests possessed forty two con books which was tained the sum Human Knowledge These books Books the Hermetic the Greeks were called authorship was ascribed being Hermes the Greek name for

because their :

Hermes

god thegod

the

,

as

all

!)

in

,

who also

the arts and in

,

withImhotep

in

,

and

was

identified various 3,400 B.C. who besides

a

;

sciences

by he

to

.

He

authorities with Athothis mighty king was learned

being

on

( he or

as

an

Art Exactly who is

is

as

the God the Healing his mortal state not clear

.

of

a

a

by

it

he

-

;

so

of

.

it

as

the

a

of in

Egyptian Pantheon was known Thoth god the Healing Art But was not that Thoth had gathered the sum Human Knowledge into these called Hermetic Books the contrary ordinary extraordinary was because had mortal done thisgreat service that was acclaimed grateful people and raised god the Pantheon

who God

as

excelled

THE PAPYRUS

4

EBERS

is

it

of

,

of

art .

mysteries of every branch of learning , especially in the healing personages the Both these were deified quite because their excellent qualities and

.

.

,

,

within the realmpossibility that both were one and person not con The point however does the same cern us here

Of

us ,

,

-

,

:

to

six

forty two books Clement tellsthirty Philosophy and K nowledge General whilst the last six were devoted the Healing Art under the following heads these

dealt with

.

Anatomy Diseases .

Book 37. 38.

is

. .

-

re

,

Book Remedies Book Ebers believed he had discovered

.

The

Diseases the Eye Diseases Women 40 ,

of

41. 42.

of of

.

.

39. Surgery Remedies 40.

the document But the claim

challenge Joachim definitely

n

.

was not received without

,

of

a

',

a

,

an

rejected the claimo the ground that the Papyrus was original but merely not Medical Compendium i.e. collection remedies gathered from various

'

to

.

a

it

is

of

by

it

of

.

it

an

sources Why the fact that was not original being precludes the Hermetic Books one from mentioned Clement Alexandria hard under stand Ebers never for moment claimed that was he

or

18 , at

on

,

.

,

to

,

in

'

to an

original the strict sense and was the first proved beyond draw attention various entries that doubt that the Scribe had copied from earlier writings For example least from other Plates

AGE OF THE PAPYRUS

5

showed us , interpolated in the text, the , Qem Sen , meaning ' found Hieratic characters des troyed ,' the reference in each instance being to a remedy which the Scribe was on that account unable

.

at

years after hundred Christwere the self originals Imhotep unaltered that were written

two

by

( or

same

,

,

hardly

suggested possessed that the Hermetic Books the time when Clement Priests

the Egyptian

wrote

would

be

Again

,

entirety

or

by

to give in seriously

it

its

90 , he

89 and

stronger

his

by

.

summing

witness his

of

up

:

no

rejection

the

other

medical its

all

importance

. of It its

in

:

surpasses

in

It

'

papyri

doubt

qualify

that did not lessen the documentOf that

it

of

he

left Papyrus

to

hastened

by

,

and Joachim

that claim the assertion one iota the immense value

of

rest on its claim

Books

of

the value the Papyrus Ebers does not the Hermetic be the sole survivor to

,

However

of

.

refuted

on

Ebers has yet ground than this made

be

to

by

,

-

re

of

!

to

)

it

,

Athothis whoever was who wrote them three previously That they were thousand years added and amended and written during the course thirty centuries goes without saying and the claim

all

of

is

,

.'

,

richness contents and com largest perfection the most the and beautifully written and the best preserved the medical papyri the

pleteness

II

CHAPTER

OF THE PAPYRUS

DESCRIPTION

it

its

at

a

.

in

But strange

by

of

numbers

The

!

29

page

the paging as

nor

in

the omissionthese

be

to

a

revealed followed found the the continuity

was

28 in

.

by

page

without any break page there was

reason for

gavethe idea that

the manuscript

page

of

;

text

the pages such

no

page

numbered

page last

30

.

there were 110 closer inspection Page irregularity

equal size and averaging

each

Each page was

at

a

twenty lines apiece head and glance

of

',

pages

27

called

'

may

be

its

The Papyrus as Ebers first saw it was in one long roll, length twelve inches in width and sixty - eight feet in . length Throughout was divided into what whole

on

a

it

be a to

to

on

be

to

of

,

it

.

is

mere not apparent While Joachim dismisses oversight Griffith declares the intentional part Papyrus the Scribe who wished the finish

it

as

of 6

he

of

be

laboriously inscribed and the Scribe who eight feet length would considerably could see the result his labours

its

a

,

its

its

.

,

by

'

a

perfect 110 figure considered Egyptians the ancient While Ebers and the other Egyptologists were wrestling with age and deciphering contents the Papyrus was undergoing drastic metamorphosis

the number number

sixty

startled reposes

Its

Papyrus

.

roll

in

no

longer

7.

University Library of

in

dress the

date

a

is to -

Leipzig

.

of

to - day in

It -up

its

DESCRIPTION OF THE PAPYRUS

viewed

.

of

of

beauty wonders and the facsimile edition

of

Ebers

in

to

be

in

:

description with the mere portrayed are realistically

its

Books

its

Ancient

description mere this Most But one need not content oneself

even the .

of

unmoved

,

to

by

a

to

its

,

its

modern pages have beencarefully cut and bound preservation thus form insured the utmost and amplified accessibility thousandfold students He would be dull of soul indeed who could remain

the manuscript room

the

up

As one turns over

to

go

.

British Museum

not even

a

to

,

,

or

word

of ,

a

,

a

.

us

line not

of

by

to on it

of

is

-

a

,

his

;

that

in

us to

his

,

is

thirty four after lapse artistry patience centuries infinite and are there for admire their entirety eye examining the The first thing that catches the Papyrus the touch colour given reason letter

missing

so

the Papyrus not

end

,

, of

is

of or

all

for .up

of

,

is

by

the Plates that make the mind bewildered the volumes thoughts impressions multitude and which are called Above the feeling awe reverent awe writing graceful easy the Scribe whose without fault flaw holds enthralled From beginning

these two

to

of

a

the

Egyptian ancient

idea Throughout .

,

,

the Middle Ages but

glance

papyri quickly

at

of

,

that

of

any

grew like many other

fashionRubrics

a

that this things out

be

.

is

of

'

',

capitals with which the the Rubrics the red ginning enriched each chapter and paragraph There was time when we were accustomed think

almost dispels

the manuscript the headings

THE PAPYRUS

8

EBERS

the different chapters , the names of the diseases the directions for treatment , and in many cases the drugs weights and dosages in a the are written of

of

,

,

most interesting

or

.

text

any

into the excursion in

The Papyrus

of

it is .

.

of

Philology

,

as

-

every whit

the Papyrus Ebers papyrus excursion involves

Egyptian domain

day

an

understanding

colour

the

A

An

of in

as

vivid red which holds fast does the black

to

its

of

on

of

in

a

,

is

is

Ebers course written the Hieratic which cursive script evolved course Hieroglyphics that excite our curiosity time from the

Egyptian monuments These Hiero ancient eminently chiselling out were suited

on of

for

.

the glyphics

up

.

a

to

on

,

to it

t

or

,

,

paper

to

writing them down wheni came vastly different papyri matter was rather minutely papyrus the quaint birds To trace and objects which went beasts and other make the but

stone

Hieroglyphic vocabulary

only great entailed not appalling must have involved amount Our imagination can easily and with practical it

an

,

time

.

of

,

patience

Hieroglyphics gap between the and Hieratic first the fine points the Hierogly phics unconsciously perhaps were slurred over and a

,

the

of

a

of

,

or

,

of

at

.

day Hieratic know stop this evolution did not the Hieratic stage script was fact the the Priests learned

in

But

as

writing that

and finally Scribes found flowing cursive style

possession

to -

themselves

,

inevitable we

as

nized

in

time

.

of

being taken the rest was only matter slurring The recog became conscious was

step first

this

which

;

,

,

of

At

bridge over

.

certainty

DESCRIPTION OF THE PAPYRUS

9

. in

the famous Rosetta

or it to

in

Prior ,

,

said

un

Rosetta Stone 1799 unravelling 1822 ancient in

of

the

Stone

part the

of

prominent

literature ancient Egypt to

be

a

play

of

was destined ravelling the the discovery

should

on

presence

its

from

to

which

its

class. The final stage was reached apparently about the Eighth Century B.C. , when we find the common people in possession of a folk - script called Demotic ,

, to

a

,

,

on

. forus

Egyptian literature practically was closed book supplied The Rosetta Stone however the key inscribed were Hieroglyphic characters with

of

of

,

it

it

both equivalents and only their Demotic and Greek coming physicist awaited the the English and to

, up us

us

to

of

till an

,

,

, to

,

,

Thomas Young and the great French Egyptologist Champollion and others reveal knowledge intimate that other world which physician

of of

it

in

.

to to on

.

,

then had meant little more than Pyramids Sphinxes and Tombs To return our Papyrus Since the Hieratic was not inscribed the Rosetta necessary Stone was by

translate the Hieratic the Papyrus means the Demotic Thence meaning was worked and the Greek out the inky darkness which had remained for thousands of

paying the

spent time

ren

)

to

in

itself

well

re

education

,

Hieroglyphics men the Hieratic left and from right

plainly traced

noted

this

of

this volume

in

it ,

(

,

beasts can birds and script written will the study will prove

D

in

On the Plates shown the Hieratic into on an be be it .

dering

of

.

years

it

in

its

of

.

into Hieroglyphics

,

place first

the

III

CHAPTER

OF THE

CONTENTS For

PAPYRUS

the most part the Papyrus Ebers is devoted to the

of

the

surgical interference medicinal treatment of diseases , being recommended in only about a score of cases . to a

morbid conditions

;

chapter

special

are

of

are dealtwith

a

in

of

.

,

a

,

a

to

of

Sting The pathological conditions range from Wasp ache trivial from Bite Crocodile the Anatomy Physiology the most loathsome disease The Circulatory System and Pathology the Heart and the Alimentary and Urinary tracts gone into Gynæcology very thoroughly have and Obstetrics complaint the Teeth the Skin the scoreneglect especially Eyes the Ears and the receive due atten ,

,

,

,

;

of

on

;

no

;

is

of

addition quite

an

In

.

tion

to

of

un

hair

in

handy hints the shape stop the pigeon ,

kill scorpions and lizards

of of

of

sorts

of

make the

all

to

,

in

Then

to

pick

up .'

we '

to

,

to

squint

to

,

correct

expected places

recipes

eyebrows

dye the hair and to

and grow

to to

to

, to

.

to

extensive amountspace Cosmetics We find remedies drive out wrinkles and make the face smoothremove moles beautify the body and alter the colour the skin

given

IO

to

to

,

,

,

keep rats hawk stealing pre out the granary hole charm his vent theserpent creeping out

CONTENTS OF THE

baby, to , child distin to

crying soothe  a

by

a

being rounded others

—

these and

remedy

or

The following summary

in of

!

numerous sweaty feet

off

prognosticate the fate of a new - born guish spoiled milk , to sweeten the breath

for

away fleas , lice , and mice , to

II

PAPYRUS

the pathological condi

,

A

n

scholar whole

his

.

he a

worldi modern the translation us

passages

to

be

precious document but elucidating many which without such elucidation would

so

-

of

a

,

to

list

bent

of

-

a

the task giving the only word for word not

.

of

an

,

its

prepare such physician

of

,

, to

mind tongue

to to in

is

an

it

possible fact that Egyptologist and

a

to

to

a

as

tions described dealt with the Papyrus will afford scope attempt having better idea been group To Joa order sort some them made chim even more thanEbers are we indebted for the

Headache

Migraine Giddiness Constipation

Diarrhea Indigestion

Colic Dysentery

Melana Piles

:

y

so

to

he

it

;

much gibberish and was only after diligent study and research extending over years that was enabled descrip diagnose the complaints actual from the suppliedb the tions often cryptically Scribe

THE PAPYRUS

I2

EBERS

Inflammations of the Anus

Tumours and Inflammations

of

the Abdomen

Tapeworms Roundworms Guinea -worm

Hookworm Polyuria Frequency of Micturition Accumulation and Obstruction of Cystitis Enlarged Prostate Stricture Stone

Cardiac pain and Palpitation

weakness

Disorderly Action of the Atheroma

Heart

Debility Diseases of the Liver swellings , Tumours innocent and malignant Glandular

Fat Tumours Skin Tumours Tumours of Nerves and Vessels Baldness Alopecia

Scurf Eczema Impetigo Scabies

Stings of Wasps and

Tarantulæ

Urine

CONTENTS OF THE

PAPYRUS

13

Bite of a Crocodile Burns of the First , Second ,

Third, Fourth ,

and

Fifth Day Wounds Abscesses Gangrene Suppurations Pustules and Menstrual irregularities

Amenorrhea Leucorrhoea toDelivery , Abortion , and Lactation Diseases of the Breasts

Aids

Falling of the Womb Ulcers and Diseases of

the

genitalia Female

Teeth irregularities and Abscesses Gumboils Coryza Catarrh Diseases of the Tongue Deafness

of, the Ear Discharges from , and Ulcerations , Eye -diseases of which Ebers has described Blindness Blepharitis Cancer Chemosis Chalazion Cataract

Ectropion Entropion Granulations

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

14

Hæmorrhage Hydrophthalmus Inflammations

Iritis Leucoma Ophthalmoplegia Pinguecula Pterygium Staphyloma

Trichiasis

IV

CHAPTER

set

THE PHARMACOPOEIA OF ANCIENT EGYPT

,

in

,

,

;

,

prescriptions are extremely simple

the

,

few

;

,

.

of

A

, ,

;

,

,

of

ALTOGETHER 811 prescriptions are forth the Papyrus and they take the form salves plasters and poultices snuffs inhalations and gargles draughts confections and pills fumigations sup positories and enemata

or

,

of on

in .

;

we

.

-

of

be

or

,

or

,

a

to

83

a

are or

a

,

as

to

only one substance being directed taken poultice plaster The applied rubbed majority however complex more and run from half dozen dozen more drugs while one thirty seven ingredients Many Plate consists at

to to - of be be on

the

.

in

the highest degree

;

up

a

curious

a

to as

as

,

,

if

cannot credit them with the preparations even harmless any therapeutic effect appear least other remedies such the application Raw Meat Black Eye present more date touch described but there are over many which can only

of

.

be

to

is

-

to

15

we

is

It

.

by

,

day but they are our pharmacopoeia dwarfed the weird and wonderful substances that the Scribe gravely transcribes here that first

in

figure

a

be

we

is

A

glance through the pharmacopæia which Papyrus Ebers based not undertaken lightly drugs that To sure encounter there number

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

16

make acquaintance with that God -given drug , Castor Oil , which besides finding itself in a hundred prescrip tions has the honour of a special mention in the body of the book : ON THE USE OF THE CASTOR OIL TREE

IN THE ANCIENT

FOUND

WRITINGS

When

Person

a

rubs

Stalk

THE WISE

OF

MEN )

in

AS

its

(

Water and he

MEMORANDUM

,

is

ill .

he

,

its

the Sick One's body

.

driven out

of

Disease will

be

a

of

a

if

as

it

to a

applies will Diseased Head which immediately become had never been When Person who suffers from Constipation Berry along with Beer then the chews little in

,

.

,

in

.

,

a

by

,

growth Also Woman's Hair will increase using the Berries She crushes them makes Oil and anoints her them into one puts them Head therewith is

.

.

Oil

alone

and

in

was these ancient physicians

were not satisfied with Castor

,

But extolled though

it

to

in

he

For Ten Days anoints himself afresh daily the morning order drive the abscess away

in

!

he

Lo ,

of

-

-

-

as

fly -

an

as

,

its

pressed Furthermore the Oil from Berries any out Ointment for the use Person who has the uha abscess with stinking matter the though nothing Evil will had suffered

their

..

;

as ,

as

-

the

the animal world

on

hands

,

as

heavy

on

as

They laid

,

—

as

of -

as

to

fight the disease which search for the wherewithal high afflicted the land they reached the heavens actually prescribing Excrement and Gods low well low the following pages will reveal

the

PHARMACOPCIA OF ANCIENT EGYPT

17

mineral world , on the plant world , and not least on the World of Fancy ; and having got a substance which they imagined possessed the slightest therapeutic

;

its it its

, if ,

its

,

its its

its

its its

,

,

of it

.

its

,

resin

flowers thorns

root they and fat Even then were not they collected any splinters that

stem

,

its its

,

its

,

sap

nuts

blossoms and leaves and bark root and the bark

of

it of

a tree and strip

fruit and had any

its

virtue they prescribed it internally and externally , raw and cooked , ripe and unripe ; in some cases over ripe and actually rotting . They would take a plant or

as a

?

)

be

it

no

of

!

(

;

it

finished with survived and used them will believed poultice for their nerves And when the plant was capable further dismemberment they directed

one used should come from the from the South their fancy moved them

,

North from Upper

as

or

that the particular

exhibiting

or

again

versatility

. in

the remedies

a

tion

,

of

,

to

.

or

or

,

, or

from Lower Egypt from the Hills from the Delta from the Fields from the Meadows from the Marshes Their ingenuity not yet ex the administra hausted they turned their attention

of

to

of to ,

,

,

of

to

every way comparable their pharmaceutical efforts Thus we read the mother who was instructed spit the remedy into the child's mouth the woman who was ordered take her medicine while she sat

by

to

be .

to

,

-

and

,

that other lady who after chanting have coitus before the Magic Formula was told swallowing the medicament cross legged

for

to

it

A

final reference must made the vehicles which was sought make the nauseous mixtures poultices and objectionable messes which passed

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

18

and less objectionable .

These vehicles , employed Beer , Milk , and Water , were with well balanced impartiality ; they were often to be found in the same concoction ; they appear in sorts

, , ,

-

Milk

in -

Swill

appears

Cooked

,

,

as

Milk

Sour

,

Milk

Spoiled

which

while it of

.

bright moment they bethought themselves Beer Milk also afforded them some scope Fresh

Beer

;

-I

-

-

-

-

has been Brewed from many

Beer

of a

as .

,

,

,

Warmed

Froth Beer ngredients -

of -

Beer

-

,

Flat Beer Yeast

of -

,

,

Sweet

Thus Beer Plain Beer

;

favourite vehicle was prescribed Beer Bitter Beer Cold Beer ,

a

,

forms recognizable and unrecognizable

of

all

less nauseous

,

,

-

-a -

-

,

.

As

-

-

,

,

,

,

,

Water which

-

in

-

-

—

the Heavens

-

, -

!

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Water

the Rain

, of -

Water from the Bird Pond and Water the Phallus has been Washed from

-

Natron

,

,

Water

-

,

-

-

-

Well Water Spring Water Salt Mineral Water Cake Water Linseed Water

find Plain Water

,

we

of -

-

a

,

-a , of

,

,

Milk Ass's Milk Cow's Milk Man's Milk Milk of Milk Woman who has borne Son Woman Milk the Sycamore and Milk juice for Water

CHAPTER

V

MINERAL REMEDIES To attempt anything more than roughly

to

sub

divide the ‘ drugs ' that go to the making of this pharmacopeia would be as unnecessary as it would be unprofitable . It is sufficient to place them under three main headings , Mineral , Plant , and Animal . As regards the first -named , with which this chapter deals, and under which heading are grouped various other substances which are even more foreign to the Plant and Animal worlds — few of them are prescribed in crude or native state . Antimony, Calamine , Granite , Ink , Indigo, and Sulphur almost exhaust the their

list . Outside of these the source of origin of the drugs is strictly laid down , or various preparations made

from the parent drug are prescribed . Thus , the Iron must be Iron - from - Apollonopolis - parva ; the Leather Soot set be

pot

the

the Soda must

-

Alabaster

-

-

Meal

of of -

Alabaster Alabaster 19

to

,

it

.

-E

.

ferably

Dust

;

bet’a

;

gypt But were better some sort order alphabetical pre of

them down

pper

in

-U

from

-

Soda

-

must be Soot - from -

maker

- the - Sandal -

-

- from

the

must be Leather

THE PAPYRUS EBERS Antimony

An -old

- Book -cooked - in -Oil

Bread Bread - crumbs Bread - dough Bread -meal Fragrant Bread Fermenting Bread Bread -of-the -Zizyphus - Lotus Cake A -portion -of -Cake Cake -meal Cake -water

- from -

Gate

-

Clay

the

Calamine

-

- -a

-

Statue Clay from Clay from the Wall Mason's Clay

- -

Collyrium Copper

-

Copper coal Copper rust Copper shavings

- - -

20

Copper vitriol

MINERAL REMEDIES Copper -verdigris Dough

of -

the -

The - Film -of- Dampness - which - is - Found on Ships Wood Granite water

-

Gum

of -

Drops

Gum

Hæmatite

Honey Fresh Honey Wild Honey Honeycomb

Indigo Apollonopolis

parva

-

-

from

-

Iron

Lapis lazuli Real Lapis lazuli Lead

-

-

Lead vitriol Fresh Lead earth

-

-

the Sandal maker

-

from

-

Leather

21

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

22

Myrrh Dried Myrrh Sweet Myrrh Oil-of-Myrrh Natron

Red Natron Refined Natron Natron -water

Meal - of - Natron Oil

Oil Olive Oil White Oil Oil-of -Two -Days dried

-

Pieces

-

-

-

of -

Oil

the

of -

-

the

Oil -of -the - Earth ( Petroleum ) Top Oil -from des

-

Opal resin Salt Fresh Salt

Mineral Salt salt

-

the

North

-

from

-

Salt

-

Sea

Saltpetre Saltpetre

-U

-

-

-

-

the South Saltpetre from pper Egypt from

jar

Castor

MINERAL REMEDIES Scrapings - from - a -Statue Dust - of - a - Statue Soot -from -the -bet'a - pot Stone - from

- the - Shore

Memphis

-

from

-

one Knife

the -

-

of -

the

Stone -from - the-Meeting - of-the -Waters Parting Stone - from Waters -

stone

-

the Knife Stone -

from

-

Trash

-

-

Black Knife stone

Sulphur

Verdigris

Wax

-

Wax Ibis

-of

-

Copper verdigris

Writing

-

fluid

Yeast

-

-

-

of -

Yeast Wine Yeast of Beer -

Fermenting

is -

-

Beer that

-

-

Beer that has Fermented -

-

Yeast

-

of -

-

Yeast

of -of

-

-

Yeast of Sweet Beer Yeast Bitter Beer

23

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

24

Yeast -of-Beer - that -has -been -whipped -up Yeast-of- the - Opium -drink Included in the above list is the substance Hæmatite

for

and the positive identification of this “ drug ” is interesting and illustrative of the difficulties that beset the original translators of the Egyptian Papyri. The

in

)

it

-

or )

to

(

as

(

is

or

Egyptian word this d'd didi and was originally translated apple the Mandrake love the Hebrew word on account of its resemblance

he

G.

,

.

to

)

(

of

in

.

the Old Testament For many years this the Evolution was accepted without question until Dragon Elliot Smith drew 1919 Professor the public attention the error Gauthier's researches dudaim

the conclusion that didi while Griffith had gone the

,

, to

pointed out had led him was nothing else but red clay

as

in

In

to

of

of

a

of

.

or

further and properly identified substance red ochre hæmatite 1927 Dawson the Journal comprehensive the Royal Asiatic Society gave which use summary the and the occurrence , be all

.

of

in

no

of

to

in

most

of

the Egyptian Papyri He appears have clinched the matter for good and the Mandrake will consequently mention didi was put

pages

.

as

these

,

the German the alraunen translations being interpreted Hæmatite

found

CHAPTER

VI

PLANT REMEDIES The foregoing by no

means constitute a full list of the employed in the pharmacopoeia ,

Mineral

substances

for there

are many others whose identity is completely

hidden from us under the guise of meaningless words which are beyond the comprehension of the many Egyptologists who have from time to time wrestled with the Papyrus . This is unfortunate to the point of annoyance at times , and it applies equally to those substances which were drawn from the Plant world .

However, of the recognizable Plants , and of their preparations , there is a not inconsiderable showing as the following list will reveal. Acanthus -tree

Dough -of -Acanthus Fruit -of- Acanthus Nuts - of -Acanthus Resin

-of - Acanthus

Thorns -of - Acanthus Aloes Grain -of - Aloes 25

26

THE PAPYRUS EBERS Resin -of - Aloes

Wood -of - Aloes Arabian - wood Powder Balsam Real Balsam Barley -plant Beans

Dried

Beans

Caraway Caraway -seeds Cedar -tree

Fat -of -the - Cedar -tree Splinters -of -the- Cedar - tree

Tops -of - the - Cedar -tree Rotted Cereals Chopped -up Chaff Coriander Coriander -berries

Corn Red Corn

PLANT REMEDIES Crocus Crocus - from -the - South Crocus - from - the - Hills Crocus- from -the - Delta Cucumber

- from -

Cyperus

from

- -

Cyperus

North

- - -

Cyperus

- the - the - the

Flowers -of -the -Cucumber

Fields

Meadow the Marshes

from

-

-

-

- of of -

Cyperus from the Cyperus Knots the Cyperus Thorns

-

Cyperus grass Dates

Fresh Dates Green Dates

Wild Dates -

Date meal

-

-

the -

Dompalm

Dates

-

of

-

Dates Refuse

-

- - - of of of - - -

Date juice the Wild Date Juice the Male Palm Dates

of -

Ebonywood Shavings

Edelkraut

Ebonywood

27

28

THE PAPYRUS EBERS Elderberry Fennel

Figs Flax- plant Stem -of -the -Flax - plant Refuse -of- Flax -plant Garlic Grapes Gruel Freshly -cooked Gruel

Herbs -of- the - Field Juniper -berries Lettuce

Wild Lettuce Linseed Linseed -water

Mint -of -the -Mountains Splinters -of-the -Mulberry -tree

PLANT REMEDIES

29

Nasturtium Onions Fresh Onions Green Onions

Onions -from

- the - Oasis

Onion -meal

Inner - of -Onions Sap -of - Fresh - Onions

Palm

- tree

Palm Palm

- juice -

fibres

Fruit - of - the -Male - Palm Fruit -of- the - Dompalm Papyrus plant Blossoms -of -the - Peppermint

-

in

Beer

of - - - -

Poppy plant Poppy berries Poppy seeds

Poppy grain the

Poppy

-

Stalk

tree

soaked

-

Pomegranate

-

Bark -of-

-

the

Bark -of - the - Pomegranate

THE PAPYRUS EBERS Reed - from -the - land - t'ahi - in -Asia Female Reed Saffron Saffron - seeds Blossom

-

of- the - Saffron

Seeds -from - the - Blossoms -of - the - Plants

of- the - Earth

Spring - plant

- - of - the the of -

Sycamore - tree

-

of -

Dough -ofSycamore Resin the Sycamore the Sycamore

Milk Milky juice

Sycamore the Sycamore

-

-

-

of -

Splinters

-

Turpentine Turpentine nuts Watermelon

of -

Wheat of -

-

-

Wheat Clean Grain Wheat Green undried Wheat Grain

Wheaten

-

-

30

flour

PLANT REMEDIES Willow

-tree

Berry -of- the-Willow -tree Splinters -of-the -Willow - tree

Wonderfruit Seeds - of -the

-

Wonderfruit

-

-

-

-

Zizyphus Lotus Zizyphus the Lotus

of -

Splinters - of -

Wood

the -

Bread -of -the - Zizyphus - Lotus Resin -of-the -Zizyphus -Lotus

31

VII

CHAPTER

ORGANIC REMEDIES

If

fancy played so large a part in the extraction of remedies from the plant and mineral world , it was in the domain of Organic therapeutics that were plumbed the depths of human credulity . Gods and Humans , Beasts, Birds , and Fishes , found their way into the pharmacopeia of Ancient Egypt. A poultice of

a

,

,

-

-

,

in

of -

-

is -

the adu Bird and What Olive Oil and Sweet Beer -

,

-

,

for

as

is

.

,

no

.

-

, ,

-

-

Fresh Bread

and Wine cures also does another mixture com

Excrement the ut'ait fruit cooked -

tree

Grapes

,

of

Field the Great Debility

Figs

in

of -

posed

the -

Herbs

the Green Willow as

from

-

obstruction with Rush

wounds Male Semen used flavour mixture which relieves abdominal emesis doubt Ass's Semen along

in

agent

—

ing

by a

dressing

-

for

Excrement- of - the -Gods is prescribed against tremors of the fingers. Human excrement mixed with Yeast of - Sweet -Beer and Honey is recommended as a

32

Ass

-

Black

-

a

of -

Testicles

-

-

-

The Two

as

-

;

;

-

,

)

DISEASE

for -

is

(

.

,

-

by

-

OUT THE NESIT

-

TO DRIVE

it

and taken four days Man's Milk reinforced true Tortoise shell Granite and Trash from the the while Knife Stone cures the uases abscess nesit disease

Crush , rub in Wine , and

THE

33

the Patient drink

.

let

ORGANIC REMEDIES

.

DISEASE DISAPPEARS AT ONCE

prescribed

internally

externally

all or

But whether

.

of

,

or

,

and Wine

,

oil

-

a

or

;

,

in

a

mixture

,

-

of -

;

Rotten Flesh Goose Herbs the Field and Garlic cooked and swallowed for four days against Debility ,

Beer

,

a

)

if

(

of

of

criticism the preparations confound poultice consisting you can the dung Zizyphus Lotus Watermelon Sweet Cat's

many Imagine

,

;

-

-

-

a

of -

of - of

,

-

a

in

;

or

-

of

Hair restorer composed Vulva Phallus and Black the Womb Hair dye concocted Lizard Cat warmed Oil with the Egg the gabgu bird a -

;

-

a

-

is on -

-

the

of

Wall

Opium and Fly dirt which

-

of

mixture

a

or

-

an -

-

or

Tape worm another Hair dye which combines with the Hoof of Ass and the Vulva of Bitch

a

or

con

;

of -

the one thirty second part

Mouse with Honey one third

,

-

-

-

a

or

-

Beer

of

of

Froth

the

for

Tail

of -

draught composed

beaten

purgative

-

Onion

Milk

up in ;

,

of

an

-

sisting

-

of

and Fresh

Beer

, -

of -

Swill

a

;

or

,

up

-

a

or

;

a

,

to

crying child soothe Face cream Egg Bullock's Bile and Ostrich beaten with Fresh Milk diuretic Water from the Bird Pond

,

'

to

four days

is

-

,

-

of -

of a

in

of

-

in

,

a

or

Scrapings

Mountains cooked

-

the

for

taken

mixture ,

of -

-

Mint

;

of -

of -

up

to

,

Womb

be

Statue and

Wax

the -

on

of -

-

by

Falling

-

or

-

;

-

a

cooling equally draught prepared the anus another useful whipping Dampness which the Film Ships found the Wood Froth Beer for

Oil and

protect against the

complete

of

absolutely

list

compile

an

To

.'

everything

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

34

animal organic materia medica met with in the Papyrus would not be possible since ( as with many of the plant and mineral substances ) the identity of a considerable is

of

list

number of the animals mentioned is still beyond us . But even so the those animals whose identity

Hippopotamus Crocodile

Ox Cow

Calf Mouse Porcupine Serpent Tortoise

-

Bird

of -

Lizard Mole Vulture Swallow Pigeon Goose

Duck Stag Gazelle Ram Goat

Passage

a :

,

of at

as a

Lion

is

to

doubt

in ,

in

and who were called upon sacrifice the cause the Healing Art glance formidable one the following will show not

themselves

ORGANIC REMEDIES

35

Ass

Hog Dog Cat Frog Tadpole Scorpion

Eel Electric Eel Crab Swordfish

Ostrich Locust Tarantula Beetle Bat

Wasp

Fly Tapeworm which Ancient Egypt extracted from them , the list is , if anything , more startling still . They were forced to yield their

As to the therapeutic

Hair Feathers

Horns

Hoof Hide Eyes

substances

36

THE PAPYRUS EBERS Ears Teeth Brain Blood Bile Bones

Marrow Liver Spleen Guts

Uterus Vulva Phallus Testicles Semen

Fat Tallow Flesh Shell

Wings Excrement

Urine Eggs

Milk

Toes

Tail While both

these lists are formidable ones it should

in all ,

the

of

the a

in

to

.

,

be said that in many instances the physicians seem , things considered wise discretion have used Hog drawing upon them Thus case

ORGANIC REMEDIES his

37

is

,

.

so

to

an

,

shell

, it

an for

so

of

his brain which they knew little and his they which knew much The Porcupine ,

tions

of

to

,

an

.

,

is

as

his

,

to

to

body from his teeth although they used most of his testicles they appear have had the same contempt for brain held nowadays nowhere They prescribed acquaintance also betrayed acquaintance with amateurish perhaps but still psychology when they limited their Tortoise prepara

of

for

,

his

for

we

of

of

animal which gave them another chance things display that uncanny sense the fitness which meet with here and there for they found use only quills and then the sole purpose was

, ,

;

a

stimulating bald scalp which unless porcupines changed unduly have from that day must have proved

.

very stimulating indeed

to

of

she gave

:

good second

,

of

,

,

,

,

,

.

,

,

came

fat ,

the Cow

,

,

man

That equally faithful friend a

,

testicles and semen

.

,

,

fat ,

he

his

,

of

,

it of is

an

gratifying assemblage Amid such find the Ass that never failing friend mankind throughout place For the relief the ages taking pride suffering humanity sacrificed blood dung ears jawbone head hoof liver milk tallow teeth

her ,

,

,

,

,

it

,

,

be

in

.

,

bile brain blood flesh horns liver milk and tallow And since has already been noted that the gods contributed their excrement the sacred spleen

it

,

so

should also noted that the humans con not only their excrement but their urine their milk both male and female and their semen cause

! in ),

!

(

likewise both male and female

)

(

,

tributed

the same sacred

.

cause

not

least

the

Scribe

himself

.

but

,

,

Last

With

38

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

supreme audacity he imbued his own excrement and his urine , the very pen he wielded , the ink he used ,

and the papyrus he wrote upon , with Healing Magic , prescribing them as the spirit moved him against various infirmities and ills from threatened baldness to a distended bladder

!

VIII

CHAPTER

THE GODS AND THE HEALING ART The gods of Egypt contribute to are

the compilation in a

of

of

has

the

com

altogether

of

his

the

reme of

on

in

to

is

.

a

'

an

as

to

be

cannot said that the Scribe flattering arrangement the gods

It

as

,

,

a

is

’

in

;

the remedies and one instance previous chapter been seen excrement gods actually named ingredient pound designed cure digital tremors some

of

in as

of

;

set

to

of

variety of ways . They invoked collectively and individually the curative effects the reinforce they are down the actual authors remedies

us ,

,

it

,

all

-

as a

it by

Ra

,

he

to

them Plate 46. The first the remedies there quoted was informs com appear pounded would himself who the Great intended sort of cure for all the ills of his own dies attributed

,

.

-

all

Ra

the

August One

on to

It

of

!

to

a

Ra

39

set in

step into the breach and

to

-

to

their remedies remained for

their

that they managed achieve with give was headache now woman doctor the person Isis

fact a

in

himself

;

to

deities cure the ills this self same Ra Alas efforts were no more successful than those

of

of

by

a

of

as

,

was

a

.

But

it

the entries dismal failure that immediately follow show for they are series especially compounded remedies various lesser

godly person

his

his

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

40

of

headache not only curing him relieving sufferings but him well and evils

all

of

as

of

,

feet again

.'

any sort ANOTHER

WHICH THE

REMEDY

GODDESS

ISIS PREPARED

- of - of

IN HIS HEAD Berry

:

FOR THE GOD RA TO DRIVE OUT THE PAINS THAT ARE

the

-

I

the Coriander

-

I

Poppy plant

-

Berry

- of of - -

Berry Berry

I

Wormwood

I I

-

-J

-

-

the sames plant the uniper plant

I

Honey

mix with Honey and smear order make him well forthwith

all .

is

used

him against sufferings and

and will instantly become well for

.

head

Ra

the

any sort

,

evils

of

illnesses

he

in

When this remedy

all by

to

in

therewith

,

,

Make into one

to

-

—

in

-

woman doctor did give

the

that

,

a

headache

it

him

woman

was also

of

have seen that

relieved

giving her divine

Undoubtedly

balance

that attended the headache

the

cure compounded

-

a

if

.

,

,

be

in

it

it

,

-

-

of -

to

Isis was due the Opium contained the guise may well Berry that the Poppy plant and

-

of by

But

.

headache

we

a

headache ,

a

Ra

efforts only resulted

doctor Isis who thereby restoring success

being the first woman doctor history even though her

of

of

,

to

accorded the honour achieve the notice medical patient

be

Among the lesser deities who prescribed was the goddess Tefnut and this female divinity must

THE GODS AND THE HEALING ART

41

it was her success with this drug that led that other woman -pioneer of medicine , Helen of Troy , in a later age to produce her nepenthe and to use it with the startling results that Homer records .

It

is not to be wondered at then that the lengthy

Invocation with which the Papyrus opens is addressed to Isis , and both here and elsewhere she is implored

to impart healing powers to the remedies . Nowhere , it is well to point out, is the Magic Formula advocated as a cure per se , but it is an essential part of the treat ment and without it the remedies might well be useless , and worse than useless . Together with the numerous Magic Formulæ scattered throughout the papyrus , the Invocation but serves to indicate the belief firmly held by the Ancient Egyptians that to effect the cure of was first necessary to charm out of the body spirit the evil that had undoubtedly caused the mis chief ; then , by means of drugs , to repair the ravages disease

it

are

he had caused during his temporary occupancy of the body. In the accompanying rendering of the opening be

it

OF THE BOOK

I

of

of

,

,

-

Lords

of Protection

PERSON

Heliopolis with the priests Eternity Defence the Kings

of

came forth from

het aat the

and

PARTS OF THE BODY OF

.

I

FOR ALL

OF MEDICINES .

ON THE PREPARATION

A

THE BEGINNING

:

is

in

,

by

represented Invocation the Rubrics of the Papyrus may block letters and added the same applies quoted wherever this volume the actual text

came forth from Sais with the

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

42

Goddesses who grant me protection . Words were given me by the Lord of the Universe wherewith to drive away the inflictions of the all

Maternal

MANY

on

SO

every sort

.

,

of

gods and deadly diseases

CHAPTERS

this my head

ARE ,

as

so

his Ra

,

,

,

,

as

,

in

by

to

of

,

, to ,

,

this my neck these my arms this my flesh and these my limbs punish the scoffings High the Ones who cause this disease enter my working magic flesh these my limbs that penetrates my often the disease into this flesh this my head these my arms into my body and into

I

:

has compassion saying

,

these my limbs

will

of

on

,

,

,

,

.

is

it

protect him from enemies His leader Hermes given who has him the words who provides the books and who bestows upon the learned ones and the physicians who follow him the glory obscure

.

Whom God

one whom God loves

,

am is

I

.

quickens me

.

IN THE PREPARING

WORDS TO

BE

MEDICINES

FOR ALL PARTS OF THE BODY OF

SPOKEN

OF A

,

loves therefore

that which quickens he

he

unravelling

is

.

the book heal

his me

.

diseases

This May Isis

all

all

a

be ,

to

is

the healing

thousand times

of

for

As

it

.

PERSON WHO IS ILL

as

of

even she healed Horus the pains which brother Set had inflicted on him when he killed his

,

,

,

,

Oh Isis

all

,

,

!

thou great enchantress heal me deliver me from evil bad typhonic things from demoniacal and deadly diseases and brother Osiris

all

me ,

THE GODS AND THE HEALING ART

43

as

I

As

Ra ,

am

say :

,

I

of

!

pollutions of sorts that rush upon thou didst deliver and release thy son Horus have penetrated into the Fire and have emerged from the the day when Water may not fall into the snare

his

for is

It

!

!

his

,

,

.

of

,

,

.

all

is

; it

Osiris prayeth manifesta possible evil from tion Deliver me then from bad wicked typhonic things from demoniacal and deadly fevers every sort MANY CHAPTERS THERE ARE TO SAY

ON

THE

THOUSAND

A

BE ,

TO

DRINKING

OF

TIMES

MEDICINES

.

CHAPTER

IS

IT

AS

.

SO

!

for

body

,

!

I

for

I

Little and piteous Oh thou spoken thy body who hast Oh Osiris thou who prayest for thy manifestation Ra speaketh shall

They come drive my sorts this heart these my limbs The charms have great powers over the remedy not remember that Do Once again Horus and Set were led the great forecourt in

,

in

things

do

of

and does

,

of

Set

He

of

the gods who those said when one drinks the

thousand times

.

Words As

the testicles was on earth

a

wills

be be as ,

.

medicines

he it is to to ,

.

everything are yonder

as

as

to

Heliopolis consult over Horus became fresh he

?

to

.

.

I

.

of

all

.

to

Here follow the medicines

away

IX

CHAPTER

DISEASES OF THE ALIMENTARY SYSTEM

ETC.

GLANCE at the Papyrus Ebers dispels once

all

A

,

for

CONSTIPATION

:

any

a

to to

,

the

some

others are

of

in

inserted

to

.' or

,

the

a

not few them only one prescription

;

a

in

the patients the sole ingredient

of

'

it

for

.

and in

be

to

or

Oil figures

Some

chewed

:

is

suppositories

into

Castor unfortunately

it

person

eaten

made into pills and swallowed

formed

rectum

drunk

,

be

are

of

the body

the excrement preparations are

be

as

in he to

or

,

all

of .

of

by

is

of

scourge that Constipation the modern living world brought about modern conditions and eating For page after page from the very be ginning the Papyrus the Scribe sets down purgative after purgative remedies designed cure con puts crudely stipation drive out more idea

44

I

the body

.

in

that

is

clear out

all

Chew and swallow down with Beer

in

-

-

-

the Castor oil tree

of -

-

Berries

PERSON

order

to

THE EXCREMENT IN THE BODY OF

A

REMEDY TO CLEAR OUT THE BODY AND TO GET RID OF

ETC.

effective

,

nor

45 as

that

;

;

,

.

add

FOR THE BODY

REMEDY

oil -

ANOTHER

simple

as

But they are not one may venture

as

to all

CONSTIPATION

1

456

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

of -

plant Leaves the Castor Dates of the Male Palm

-of -

Cyperus grass

-

-

Stalk the Poppy plant Coriander

Cold Beer and take for four days

.

,

,

Keep moist strain ANOTHER

salt

-

Sea

I I I

Fresh Dates

,

earthenware receptacle

:

,

in

water place put therein and

an

Mix

in

-

sebbet juice

cover and the patient drink Thereafter let him drink Sweet Beer

REMEDY

.

.

warm

,

,

Cook together

let

-

Crushed gengent beans

TO REGULATE

EVACUATION

I

Honey -

I

sasa seeds

I

Wormwood

I

-

-

-

fruit

-

the ut'ait -

-

of -

-

Kernel

I

I

Elderberry Berries of the uan tree

$6

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

I

Caraway aaam - seeds

I I

- seeds

Xam

I

Sea - salt

Form into

a Suppository

Rec

and put into the

tum .

REMEDY TO DRIVE OUT THE DISEASED EXCRE

ANOTHER MENT

IN THE BODY

A PERSON

OF

White - cake Red tit - corn Milk -of - a - Woman

I I

Mix into one and let the Person drink . ANOTHER

TO DRIVE OUT THE STERCORAL MASSES IN THE -100

BODY

Figs sebesten

-

Resin

of -

Grapes Caraway

-

Writing

Acanthus

fluid

-

-100

Peppermint gengent beans

were

favour

efficacy

efficacious other

—

urged

the

the but

of

if

they in

be

remedies

even this cannot

—

Mass action may account for foregoing

of

.

four days

of

Keep moist and take

for

Sweet Beer

the

CONSTIPATION

,

ETC.

47

up

nor

Elderberries

and

been

-

-

Beer which has

-

Yeast

-

in

days

;

it be taken four Honey cooked

of -

for

remedies. Verdigris, even when ground up with Bread , made into three Pills , and swallowed down with Sweet Beer, does not sound very promising ; neither does a mixture of Milk , Dough , and Honey , though

composed Goose though with vitriol flavoured Wine And not even the emphasis the Scribe con vinces the impartial critic the efficacy another

of -

-

the Field

.

-

I

-

gengent beans aneb plant -d

I

ough

Bread

BODY

I I

Herbs

IS USED AGAINST THE CONSTIPATED

.

IT

HEREAFTER

of

WELL THIS PURGATIVE

THOU

-

PREPARE

.

of

.

of

be

it of

draught

,

-

grease and Lead

a

nor

;

-

whipped

,

of

all

-

a

is

,

.

of -

-

.'

A

The remedy still persists

of

'

as

in

an -

of

purgative cocktail than consists Half Onion mixed Froth Beer and further described DELIGHTFUL REMEDY AGAINST DEATH a

history

It of

the

a

act

Constipation which not only purgative but drives out the body smacks more dawn ,

diseases

as

claims

in

to

Another remedy

for

.

,

,

Pound make into one make Four Cakes thereof and let him eat

life

in

,

at

.

its

no

'

the shape the public ingredients saver the bar but the purgative action has longer the same and are long since disappeared

dispensed

REMEDY

TO STOP THE DIARRHEA

are

remedies

As

a

succession

of

Constipation

followed diarrhæa

'

by

The remedies

for

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

48

show their

:

.

the following examples employment was purely empirical

appropriately to stop the

Green Onions

Gruel

-

cooked

-

884

Oil and Honey

dena

four days

.

Cook and take

for

}

1

Wax Water

.

Freshly

ANOTHER

gg 32

dena

.

of -E

White Onions Water

t

Breadmeal

.

Drink for four days ANOTHER

-

Breadmeal Fresh Lead earth

Take for four ANOTHER

Figs Grapes

dena

.

j

16

gg days

.

of -E

White Water

CONSTIPATION , ETC. -pit

Bread

49

- dough -

corn Fresh Lead earth Onions

!

.

to

be

in

the circumstances appears appropriate word chant

a

HETU

!

,

HETU

to

Which

,

:

Again

O

:

SING

O

Elderberry

very

CHAPTER

X

DISEASES OF THE ALIMENTARY SYSTEM INDIGESTION , ETC. Much

:

one may doubt the efficacy of the foregoing remedies in curing Constipation and in checking Diarrhea , there can be no question as to one particular as

outcome of their employment , namely , Indigestion . Such a contingency , it is hardly necesssary to add , did not escape the Scribe and he offers a choice of twenty one remedies for this condition . The chapter opens cautiously : THE BEGINNING

OF

THE REMEDIES

TO

DRIVE

AWAY

INDIGESTION

a

new hunnu - glass and take the Frothblowers

were

the next remedy

.

remembered

in

This for the Prohibitionists

;

.

Put in water in four days

for

Green Onions

ANOTHER

Onions Sweet

.

in

Beer and drink the third part thereof for four days

Cook

50

INDIGESTION

If these

ETC.

,

51

failed it was, perhaps , due to their simplicity , following recipes .

a fault remedied in the ANOTHER

it let

a Casserole,

for

half - filled with Water , half with Onions . Let it stand for four days . See that it does not become dry . After it has stood moist , beat to a froth one - fourth of the third him part of the contents of this vessel , and

Take

.

so

he

who suffers from the vomiting drink may become well imme that four days diately ANOTHER

,

hennu vessel set -

in

dough

a

Make into

a

-

Date meal put into so

on

.

may

.

that

he

hot the patient immediately become well eaten

so

by

be

,

in

.

,

two earthenware jugs and the fire that the dough cracks When this has hap pened put the pap Fat and Olive Oil To

,

it

as

,

Wild Lettuce

a

he

was catered for with

in

by

;

it .

to

adding Cream cravings was not overlooked crushing sundae prepared

a

by

a

of

sort sundae prepared cooked Cow's Milk and The dyspeptic with perverted

in

,

done one could essay crushing Wonderfruit

,

If

.

in

he

.

Thereafter the Scribe panics Having tried Onions and Dates separately next prescribes them together may have cooked Milk this failed indeed

sauce

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

composed of in a basin .

Oil , Beer

While much ink

and Sour

Milk , cooked together

has been used up throughout

the

for

52

in setting down remedies upon remedies Indigestion was only Ancient Egypt that the ink bottle itself was spilt into the remedy in

it

:

-

,

ages

ANOTHER

READY

REMEDY

TO DRIVE

INDIGESTION

OUT

THE BODY

OF

Figs sebesten

Grapes

-

-

Caraway Resin of Acanthus -

Writing

fluid

Peppermint -

gengent beans Sweet Beer

aromatic resin

-

of

:

pit

a

of

intended those who complain stone like the stomach

an

was probably

indigestion

the

in

victims feeling

of

Another remedy

for

.

Keep moist and take for four days

ANOTHER

I

I

)

I

plant

-

aam

(

-g

ab -

grain fut rain meni

of

.

in

.

Crush into one Take Seven Stones them hot the fire Take one

and make them and .

-

put therein the above mentioned ingredients

ETC.

,

53

lid

Cover it up in a new vessel , bore

hole in

a

its

INDIGESTION

to

-

a

Afterwards eat something Meat or Oil

fatty

.

six

.

.

?

(

),

bottom and thrust calmus reed through this hole Put thy mouth this reed that thou mayst inhale the steam therefrom Likewise with the remaining Stones

Fat

A

ANOTHER

be

in

particular that must one remedy special mention

:

But there singled out

foris

.

,

either

REMEDY

FOR INDIGESTION

Hog's Tooth -

,

by an

illus

What

inspiration

What

!

an

Tooth

!

Hog's

of

A

.

,

to

powder put inside four Sugar cakes Crush and eat for four days

indigesti no

at

a

of

on

is is

?

of

hog halts the score Certainly this particular remedy

the tooth

bility

on is

-

;

of

tration the habit observation practised these old time medicos for what there this earth that longer

-

to

it

put

up in his on

and

it

,

tooth

to to to

is

we

sugar coated pills instead

of his

pancreas gland instead

of

-

.

of

to

,

in

the still use among the best physicians but hog that the medical world looks alleviate the pangs Indigestion All that improve have done powder these pioneer organo therapeutists

the more clumsy sugar

in ,

Sometimes the indigestion went further and resulted inflammatory conditions and hardenings the of ,

in

.

cakes

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

54

the former were treated by only , the latter were attacked both external remedies internally and externally . Some of the internal reme dies were rather involved .

But

abdomen .

ANOTHER

whereas

REMEDY

FOR THE ABDOMEN

- grain Grapes

uah

Herbs - of -the - Field Figs

a little

Sycamore - dough or Onions - from - the - Oasis . Crush and grind in Sweet Beer to which has been added the strength of the required herbs a

:

.

moist . Do not over Put thereto

and Barley Beer ) . Keep dry scum form there

it

let

Wheat

or

add

(also

Make into one and

woman drink

these mixtures were preferable

least one external remedy

:

at

ANOTHER

TO

DRIVE

OUT

THE

HARDENING

IN

-

-

of -

Bread the Zizyphus Lotus Cat's dung Red lead

I I I

ABDOMEN

-

to

,

But though involved

let the man

or

-

fat

it .

‫عدارم‬

}

Honey Goose

THE

INDIGESTION

,

ETC.

55

I I I

Watermelon Sweet Beer

Wine Make into one and apply

as a plaster.

A

plaster that combines Cat's dung with Watermelon might be counted on to remove ' hardenings'anywhere

and in anybody . The inflamed abdomen was not called upon to endure such indignities as these . The remedies were many , but two will suffice : ANOTHER

REMEDY

TO

DRIVE

OUT

INFLAMMATION IN

THE ABDOMEN Fresh

I I

-of-the - Flax - Plant

A - piece -of -the - Stem

Milk

Apply to the abdomen of the Sick Person

.

of in

be

.

is to

to

to

of

None the eight hundred remedies found the Papyrus appear have actually killed anyone those whom they were intended benefit This

is

abdomen

jar

-

des

.

Put on the Patient's

the -

-

Top

of -

-

Oil- from -

the

ANOTHER

stranger still that they did not But what parasite which lurked every kind prove fatal within the alimentary canal the Ancient Egyptian That they did not clear from the remedies

.

of of

is

so

drive away these parasites

,

which are given

to

do

to

.

is

strange

both

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

56

Roundworms and Tapeworms. The Roundworm was expelled by means of mixtures and draughts , two of the latter meriting commendation : TO KILL THE ROUNDWORM

Bark -of - the - Pomegranate -root

Water

100

Keep moist , strain , and take for

a

day .

Inner Yeast

of - the -Fruit -of - the - Caster -

-

oil -

ANOTHER tree

day

.

,

,

and take

a

Keep moist strain

for

Water

proved more obstinate Worm recommended first One cake was com .

.

Herbs

the -

posed

of

,

of -

Field and Natron baked into Another was compounded the Field and Heart the mesa Bird along

cake with Cow's Bile

,

a

Beer

Or -

-

and Sweet

.

,

-

-

,

-

-of

Herbs with Honey Wine

of -

.

a

were

of

The Tapeworm cakes

draught

.

could be used ANOTHER

I I

lead

I

I

-

bread

and take for one day

.

,

,

,

-

,

-

Stir powder strain ,

corn

ta

-

Red

gentet plant nesxi Petroleum Sweet Beer

INDIGESTION And

ETC.

,

57

cases could resort to a poultice :

desperate

TO DRIVE OUT THE DISEASES

CAUSED BY THE TAPEWORM

-of - Acanthus

Resin

I

Blossoms -of-the- Peppermint Wild Lettuce

I

t'as - plant

I

I

Stir , mix into one , and apply as a poultice to the Body of the Man or Woman .

That some of the patients after

a course of treatment on the lines indicated in the foregoing (and succeeding )

should complain of anal discomfiture is not a thing Consequently wonder occasions surprise large relieving find section devoted

no

it

to

As

a

to

.

for

pages

.

:

.

this sequela usual the thing was done thoroughly Internal remedies were first prescribed TO COOL THE ANUS

REMEDY

-

Onion meal

Mouse

32

-

a

-

of -

Tail

Honey Water

suppository was next recommended

:

A

.

Strain and take for four days

ANOTHER

TO REDUCE THE SMARTING

IN THE ANUS

G

I I

-

the

Anus

.

Pill and put

in

Roll into

a

-

of -

the Antilope Caraway

Fat

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

58

TO HEAL THE DISEASED

ANUS

I

- horn

Peg (suppository )

a

,

Next bathing

was advocated

the

Man

or

Make

-of - Wine

for

Yeast

-Oil

I

Pieces - of - dried

Woman

:

Cow

.

ANOTHER

ANOTHER TO COOL AFTER THE OTHER MEDICINES -

Ox bile Boiled

Milk

further

.

a

day

,

cooled and the poultice was pre

:

step

a

anus refused

be

the anus for

,

the

smarting went scribed

a

Finally

if

Strain and pour

to

on

Honey Wonderfruit

Clap

the anus

.

-

-

the Goose the Goose

-

Guts

I

of on of -

Egg

I

REMEDY AGAINST SORES IN THE ANUS

ANOTHER

XI

CHAPTER

MINOR MEDICINE Quite

appreciable

an

amount

of comfort may

be

derived from the fact that the Ancients of Egypt, wonderful as they were, yet groaned under the same petty annoyances that befall so many of us in this enlightened twentieth century , headaches , backaches , toe - aches , even corns , to mention a few . We find

Trunk

all

prescriptions for pains in the Head , the Bones , and the

in the Backbone and the Joints ; in the together separately Limbs and each the Limbs the Shin the Thigh the Leg even the Front

,

;

Foot and the Toes

-

-

of all , -

,

,

in

of

;

so

-

)

.

as

as

moderns know boots perhaps they were not much overlooked unknown

(

in

of -

-

in

it

as

;

-

we

is in all -

,

is

for a

'

a

,

for

-

for

.'

,

,

,

ever thorough

of -

,

Scribe

.

,

But that not for the remedy for Corns included the Tremors the Fingers for Trembling Leg Squashed the Tiredness and Limbs Legs About the only ailment overlooked growing toe nails but was the pre boot age the

For the most part his Headache

:

in

59

be

to

,

in

remedies are repulsive messes their sole redeeming feature our internally eyes being that they were not taken but rubbed externally

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

60

REMEDY TO DRIVE OUT THE PAIN IN THE HEAD

Inner -of - Onions Fruit - of - the - am - tree Natron

I I

setseft - seeds

I

I

I cooked

I

Honey

I

-

,

the

Redfish , cooked Crayfish Skull -of -

I

Bone -of -the -Sword - fish , cooked

I

-

abra ointment

messy

other

headache

there was

wide choice

recommended for inunction

masses

.

of

For the stubborn

a

.

Smear the Head therewith for four days

,

For instance one could

the aching head with the Hippopotamus Hide

smear

-

of -

of -

;

in -

up

.

fish

a

.

in

'

instructing the Patient

mix

up

of

Oil whipped

to

good start

in

not Pains

with Bile But Aspirin has now displaced the public favour these remedies All the Limbs the Scribe made Ostrich

of

-

all ,

,

6

For

by

the

-

Black abdu

if

of -

and still another most

of -

-

Oil

-

-

-

beaten

Mint

of -

with Egg the Ostrich Hippo the Mountains dissolved along with Copper and Lead vitriol

earth

-

potamus

of

Crocodile another

up

.

of

.

to

,

in -

;

or

an

of

unguent composed Poppy berries and Poppy seeds with another beaten up Ass's Fat mention only two Or there were various poultices and lotions One consisted

Castor

he

it

to

all

in

of

his

of

by

;

spoilt Oil with Honey but the next few lines telling him everything the over this smear body instead swallowing outside and

61

it Of

.

at its

work internally

a

off

allowing it to do got the track

in

MINOR MEDICINE

course having

to

of

of

poultice

a

recommended the truth

as

to

.

,

,

-

vants But according

we know

it

Fat Honey and Saltpetre

stone with

Black

as

in

Every Limb according

to

.

a

up

',

the Truth

Knife

the Bones

in

Pains

he

‘

For

,

to

he

impossible the start found right himself and accordingly went from bad worse poultice Locusts which have his next effort being mortar with Butter and Spices been ground

adju

the use

,

,

be

of ,

is

.

the Thigh

:

for

poultice

special

or

,

in

to

,

-

of

Black Knife stone with without Fat Honey and entirely fallacious and Saltpetre this connection not be commended The same can said the

FOR THE THIGH

ANOTHER

-

Bean meal pesen

-

of -

the

bread

-

Meal

salt

-

Sea

,

:

-

was

Poultice

FORTHWITH

its

in

found

.

HEAL THE PATIENT

what

.

IT WILL

;

-

the Shadfish

is

THE SHINS

Honey and apply

Soak

which

,

of -

OF

in

The Inner Head

of -

FOR THE FRONT

Poultice

the Shins

down more lightly

-

REMEDY

Front

the

as a

,

however

for

-

also

let

And

as a

Cook into one and apply

.

Human Urine

for

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

62

Squashed Leg there are some will the first Bran Poultice see the glimmerings

be

to

order

used for any Limb that

more formidable affair

:

the following shows

TO HEAL THE DISEASED TOES

Fennel

Wax Incense Cyperus

Wormwood Dried Myrrh Poppy

-

plant

-

Poppy grain -

-

-

tree

-

-

-

Acanthus the mafet tree

of -

Dough Resin

uan

Acanthus

of -

-

Resin

of -

-

Elderberries Berries of the

-

-

Grain of Aloes -

-

-

-

-

four days

.

Make into one and Poultice

for

-

of the Heavens

-

the Rain -

from

-

-

Water

-

-

of -

-

Fat of the Cedar tree Fat the uan tree Fresh Olive Oil

as

But diseased toes were

a

.

is

heal him

at

Water to

-

in

a

as

Poultice

also once thou wishest

It

LEG

Chaff soaked

Lay thereon .

:

SQUASHED

A

FOR

Chopped

up

ANOTHER

in

,

of

a

In the remedy

MINOR MEDICINE It

63

is rather late in the day , but no harm can be caused

by proffering the suggestion that had the Diseased Toes been merely washed in Water - from - the - Rain -of the -Heavens and then

poulticed

’ with Fresh Olive in this cumbersome remedy could have been discarded with advantage. However, Corns — as if to restore the balance - were

Oil ,

the

rest

of

the

'

drugs '

. A poultice of various berries cooked dispersed them The next two remedies are clearly directed against diseases the nervous system but since they deal with the effects the disease the limbs they are .

-

of

on

,

of

in Cow

fat

dealt with simply

:

brought into this chapter

TO DRIVE AWAY TREMBLINGS

IN THE FINGERS

Incense Caraway

of -

lead the Gods -

Excrement

-

Red

-

Wax

Honey Figs

AWAY TREMBLINGS

Garlic

Honey

Dompalm

-

of -

Fruit

the

PERSON

IN ALL THE LIMBS

OF

A

TO DRIVE

Poultice

.

Cook into one and apply

as a

-

Fresh Lead earth

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

64 Copper

Verdigris

Put Do

A Dog's HIDE ON HIM

!

NOT PRESS THE HAND ON HIM

!

Suppleness may also be dealt with here since it primarily affects the limbs . This attribute , if we take into consideration the remedies they were prepared to suffer to that end , must have been highly prized by the Ancients . The limbs could be made supple by smear ing them with a liniment composed of Natron , Beans, Honey, Incense , and Sweet Myrrh , beaten up with

.

-D

for

,

animal

-

adu

But the remedy par

Oil , Oil -of -the -Shad and Oil Two ays of -

Oil , Crocodile

the -

Hippopotamus fish , Oil -of -

suppleness was Ass's simple remedy Ass's dung consisted One

of

excellence

.

dung

-

, of

,

-

,

-

,

,

-

,

,

A

,

,

.

-

on

mixed with Honey and Sea salt and smeared the compound comprised limbs more elaborate Ass's Figs Date juice Sea salt Yeast Honey dung Wine Bullock's Fat Natron Fresh tepu grain

to of -

-

.

-

the Shadfish and Honey beaten Yeast Beer Another salve with surely more claim

-

of

up in

.

of

'

a

.

;

,

as a

•

-

-

the whole being cooked and sesqa grain poultice To make everything possible supple they had wide choice salves One salve consisted Flesh of

seneft grain and applied

Sweet colour

is

.

make weight combined

it

in

In

;

which were certainly only thrown another salve Ass's dung reappears

to

,

,

,

-

than cure combined Writing fluid Vermilion and Goat's Fat with Honey and several other ingredients

MINOR MEDICINE with Yeast -of -the -Opium -drink , Goat's Onions , Beans, and White Oil .

SALVE

of :

a

rid

‘

Fat, Lettuce ,

pathological cause such as prevented the suppleness . In Hardenings ' had first to be got

Sometimes it was ·Hardenings ' which these cases the

65

SUPPLE THE HARDENINGS

TO MAKE

-

animal

-

the abxersu -

-

Oil

of -

-

Hog's Fat Oil of Worms Mouse Oil

Gather into one and anoint therewith

TO SOFTEN THE HARDENINGS

Dompalm

-

-of

Fruit

the

ANOTHER

.

Oil

Cat's

Beans

Edelkraut

Milk

Fresh

!

!

he

.

,

which the limbs

'

the remedies with one

by

,

with that meticulous care which compilation the Scribe rounds

in

so

FEATHERS

ITS

Poultice

Then once again displayed often off

-

-

THE BIRD OF PASSAGE

his

Apply

IN IN

CRUSH

as a

CRUSH

IT IT

sebesten

could

66

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

be protected against

everything.

After mixing the with Mint - of -the -Mountains

Scrapings - from -a - Statue and adding sasa - pieces , Oil , and Wax , one cooked the mixture , strained it ( a not unnecessary precaution ), and swallowed it for four days .

CHAPTER

XII

MINOR SURGERY SURGERY , judging by the Papyrus Ebers, was not a strong point with the Ancient Egyptians, and it is only when we wander through the domain of Major Surgery that we find the knife and the cautery advo cated . *

Minor Surgery , what there is of it , is treated on

bloodless ' lines .

remedy ' to use against the Bite of a Crocodile ' hardly is the sort of entry which one would expect to see under the heading of Minor Surgery , but then times have changed . Three thousand years ago , we are forced to assume, bites from crocodiles were about

A

; and to carry the , simile still further both were treated in the same way : as common as black eyes in these days

WHAT TO DO AGAINST THE BITE OF A CROCODILE

If

Crocodile's Bite , and thou findest his flesh equally fallen away on both sides , so thou coverest it with Raw Meat the thou meetest

a

first day .

A

wound that merely demands a piece of raw meat to be clapped on it the first day could hardly be placed elsewhere than under Minor Surgery . Even a bite 67

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

68

that one might suffer at the hands , or rather the teeth , of a lady or gentleman friend required more intensive treatment than that demanded by the bite of dile :

a

croco

on

for

REMEDY AGAINST THE BITE OR STING OF PEOPLE

Oil

Next Burns

.

to

in

Then

him good

order

make him

once

.

at

completely well

Wax

do

order

in

in

and Honey put thou Oil

to

.

a

of

poultice him Raw Flesh the first day Afterwards treat him with

Make thou

...

at

we to

a

preparations they employed TO PREVENT

BURN

:

in

to

be

,

.

if

at

is

of

.

,

Burns are troublesome lesions the best times and much needless suffering saved quick and easy remedy one can have hand apply The Ancients recognized this although might not the able see any particular merit

WOUNDS

A

Frog Oil and rub therewith

.

in

Warm

-

Eel the body

.

the part

of

Oil and apply

to

-

-

the Electric

example

,

employed

for

could

;

one had more time there were other remedies that be

If

Warm

in

The Head

of -

ANOTHER

Elderberries

and

MINOR SURGERY Papyrus - plant

Or , if

thereto .

69

mixed in Gum -water and one preferred a dry remedy :

applied

ANOTHER A

-portion -of -Cake

Hair - of - a - Cat

Crush into one and apply thereto . remedy, or series of remedies , is those who wish leave nothing

the use

to

forth

chance

of

for

more elaborate :

to set

A

TO USE ON THE FIRST DAY

:

AGAINST BURNS

.

-

Black amat juice Put thereto ON THE FIRST

ANOTHER

DAY

-

Elderberries uah

corn

TO USE

.

Cake water and apply thereto -

Mix into one

in

Cat's dung

ON THE SECOND DAY

ON THE THIRD

Acanthus

,

-

Thorns

DAY

dried

,

fermenting

is -

-

Yeast that

thereto

of -

TO USE

crush rub

.

put

,

,

Burn

in

Goat's dung and

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

70

Crush them in cooked durra - corn and Onions, put in Oil , and apply as a plaster. TO USE

THE FOURTH

ON

DAY

Wax Roasted Cow's Fat - fibres

Palm

uah - corn , and

Make into one in

apply as

a

plaster . ON THE FIFTH

TO USE

DAY

Onions Red - lead

Fruit

- of -the - am - tree

rub in Copper- splinters, make into one and apply as a plaster .

Crush

It

,

,

for

of

of

,

a

set

-

a

of

in

credit that these practitioners of a day provided emergencies and former the unlikely event burn wound going bad after the variety vigorous treatment formulæ out above is to their

,

, Or , the -

a

,

if

or ,

;

be

,

-

a

,

,

the -

-

in

,

.

if

existed Thus the burn suppurated mixture Papyrus plant dung pounded Elderberries and Cat's applied preferred Cake water could mixture containing amongst other ingredients Stone

,

be

.

be

of -

,

-

its

in

-

in

-

of -

the burn still persisted

If

.

prescription

-

-

-

,

,

-

,

Shore

-

-

-

-

Egyp Crocodile incense Fat again tian Goat Onions and Wax could used Stone from the Parting the Waters could used instead of Stone from the Shore the last mentioned from

downward

MINOR SURGERY

71

course and began to ' turn white , ' one is advised to use a remedy that, applied earlier in the day , one cannot

help remarking , would have saved a deal of trouble ; namely , a Linen - shirt steeped in Oil . Another simple remedy, although not so simple nor so effective as the

:

its

foregoing must have proved , is , however , backed up by an unsolicited testimonial that is quite convincing brevity in

WHITE

Oil

in

order that

IT

as

plaster

HAS OFTEN

.

once

IT .

.

HAVE SEEN

TO ME

in be

.

HAPPENED

at

QUITE TRUE

I

he

may become well

IS

IT

Mix into one and apply

a

-

and Salt

-

-

-

Bread

-

Durra

in

BURN

A

OF

REMEDY TO DRIVE AWAY THE TURNING

-

ANOTHER

every medical man knows Burns can stubborn affairs Hence not surprising that spite the above unsolicited testimonial the Ancients ,

it is

found some burns beyond the ingenuity

of

of

.

,

as

But

to

of

:

of

to

A

BURN

-

!

quench the

.

a -

-

-

Woman who has

-

a

be

spoken over Milk Borne Son

-

To

of -

.'

Fire

!

is

Water Bring Water over the River bank

in

Fire

to

There

is

the Land not there and thou art not there !

FOR

Oson Horus ,

'

INCANTATION

,

mortal man gods and were forced invoke the aid the rein therapeutic the remedies effect force the

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

72 ANOTHER '

INCANTATION

FOR A BURN

O thou son of god , Horus! There is Fire in the Land ! Though there be water there or not now , the Water is in thy Mouth , the Nile is at thy Feet when thou comest

to quench the

Fire . ' be spoken over Borne - a - Son .

To

Milk -of- a -Woman -who -has

Cake

Hair

Ram's

Apply to the Burn . The victim of a Burn had little to thank the Healing Profession for, it will be admitted ; but the person

REMEDY

TO DRESS

plaster

of

a

a

.

Honey

But worse

WOUND

A

ANOTHER

-

Fresh follow

in

,

,

Ivory mixed

:

to

Powder was

is

Oil and Fruits and finally with

Fats

- , of -

of

)

it ;

it

i.e. ,

unfortunate enough to contract an open wound had still less . One remedy directs that Cow's Fat or Cow's Flesh be placed on the wound in order to ripen ( variety decompose treated with after which

-

,

and

.

a

as

-

Yeast Sweet Beer sefet apply Poultice and

oil ,

of -

Crush Honey

-

, in

Human excrement

of

,

in

of

be

, let

to

,

be

of

If

any who still complain the slowness there the progress that thankful him medical splinters extraction mention another department

MINOR SURGERY

73

we have advanced since the days of Tut - Ankh - Amen . It does not seem much to boast of, and yet . . WHAT TO DO TO DRAW OUT SPLINTERS IN THE FLESH

The per -baibait -bird -with -Honey Apply

thereto .

ANOTHER

Worms ' blood , cook and crush in Oil ; Mole , kill , cook , and drain in Oil ;

Ass's dung , mix in Fresh

Apply to the opening

Milk

.

ANOTHER

Male -and - Female Apply

thereto

- Semen

.

ANOTHER

Skull - of -the - Shadfish , cooked in Oil Apply to

the point comes out .

ANOTHER

Incense

Dough Sea - salt

Wasp's dung Fat

E

of the splinter . Thereby it

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

74

Red - lead

Wax Apply thereto . It draws the matter thereout .

It is unfortunate that the Scribe did not think it worth while to describe the ' uases ' abscess so that we might make an effort to identify it . That it was a stubborn eruption , the remedies show . One that cures the abscess by making the blood fall ’ is composed of Man's Milk , Granite , Tortoise -shell, and Trash - from the -Knifestone . Just as picturesque , and assuredly as useless , is the second remedy :

ANOTHER

REMEDY

AGAINST

THE

UASES

ABSCESS

Blood - of - a- Dove Blood - of- a -Goose Blood - of - a - Swallow Blood - of - a - Vulture

Anoint therewith .

'

Stinking ulcers '—their number must

have

been

legion

— were dealt with at length , but why the tag of advice was attached only to the following remedy is

somewhat puzzling. It could with advantage been appended to many others in the Papyrus : ANOTHER

have

REMEDY TO DRIVE OUT A STINKING ULCER IN

THE BODY

OF

A MAN

Egg -of- an - Ostrich Tortoise - shell

OR WOMAN

MINOR SURGERY Thorns -of - the -am

-tree

Warm and anoint therewith BUT DON'T

75

.

IT !

GET TIRED DOING

To dry a

,

the

a wound it was plastered with Incense , , only animal available Onions and Cow Fat ; or if goat then some Goat's Fat was beaten up with was

,

to

or

the

to

or

.

as a

poultice Onions and Wax and used For those any objection who had Cows Goats there re mained the Hippopotamus and the Wasp not men

:

tion the Hog

TO HEAL

Mix

Fat

Hog

.

,

,

Hippopotamus poultice

-

of

-

and apply

of

durra as a the

in

-

Refuse

of -

ANOTHER

ANOTHER

Dough Incense

-

-

Tooth grain Wasp's dung Red lead -

the North

-

-

Salt from

Wax

,

curtly dismissed .

a

,

a

,

salve get that much consideration :

lucky

to

a

,

Wheals the result blows draught poultice and with

are

of

.

Crush and put thereon

Slaves were

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

76

REMEDY TO DRIVE AWAY THE WHEALS FROM BLOWS

Honey Cow's Brain

Mason's Clay Linseed -water Date -juice Cook , and apply as a plaster. ANOTHER

Dust - of - Alabaster Dust - of - a - Statue Granite

Milk

Fresh

Anoint therewith . ANOTHER

A

portion -of- hemit, dried

Crush , powder , and put in a Sugar - cake. One part thereof soaked in Honey to be eaten by the person .

Nevertheless he did

:

to

tioner in Ancient Egypt . stimulate granulation TO MAKE

THE FLESH GROW

Collyrium fat

-

Cow

his

Skin -grafting , it may be shortly said , formed no part of the accomplishments of the medical practi best

MINOR SURGERY

77

Chips -of - Verdigris Honey Crush , and apply as poultice .

by

this remedy appeared to have ; succeeded at times in fact to have over - succeeded on to

,

,

-

am

-

.

seriously doubted

-

-

of -

.

efficacy may

be

its

-

an

of

of ,

is

followed another remedy check excessive granulation Since this however was com posed unguent concocted Ostrich egg ground down with Tortoise shell and Thorns the tree

it

occasions,

enough for

Curiously

XIII

CHAPTER

THE URINARY SYSTEM Urinary

received nothing like the paid to the Alimentary System .

System

a

rectal -

,

,

Sweet Beer Sea salt was one way Anointing .

Wonderfruit

-

-

the

three ways

,

,

of of -

in

in

the adult were corrected injection Olive Oil Honey

and Seeds

Urinary troubles

variety

:

that

.

for

detailed attention But it made up

in

The

:

the Phallus was another

THE URINE

TO REGULATE

apply

the Phallus

.

Milk and

Fresh

to

Mix

in

-

Xet

plant

ANOTHER

I

the South -

Put

in

I

,

Beans roasted

Oil and anoint the Phallus

therewith

.

-

from

-

Crocus

the

78

,

-

-

the mesta drink

Phallus therewith

.

Yeast

of -

-Z

-

izyphus Lotus

-

Mix

in

Wood

of -

ANOTHER

and anoint the

THE URINARY SYSTEM A third

method was by means of mixtures

REMEDY

TO REGULATE

79 :

THE URINE

-measuring -glass - filled - with -Water from - the - Bird -pond Elderberry Fibres -of -the -asit - plant

A

I I

Flowers - of -the - Cucumber

I I I I

Green Dates

I

Fresh

Milk

Beer - Swill

Make into one , The

strain , and take

less said about the remedies

for four days.

for the treatment

of Polyuria and frequency of Micturition the better . But it is to the credit of Egypt's surgeons that they did not practise urethral dilatation in cases of stricture . Instead , the obstruction was treated on medical lines .

REMEDY

TO FORCE OUT THE URINE

Crocus - from - the - Hills Crocus - from - the - Delta abu - plant - from abu - plant - from

- Upper - Egypt - Lower - Egypt

Berry -of- the -uan - tree Fresh Gruel Linseed

1

uam -seeds

to

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS to

Keep moist , strain , and take

in a

-

of

it

to

in a

to

-

in

-

.

be

'

a

or

-

Red lead frequently prescribed and are

the pharma host

, of

Honey

for

or

part

‘

of

-

as

much

a

,

, of

of

,

are

as

-

and ink the day

ail

many is

Another remedy proposed child who trouble with his urine must be noticed here a

having

.

for

.

,

others ments

the writing fluid

of

copea

by

in

enhanced

discarded papyrus the papyrus would drugs both which

course

this case the virtue

-paper

a

in

in

,

-

on

his Body

An old Book means and

BODY

Oil

a

A

-

-

old Book cooked

Smear

drink the mixture out

CHILD FOR CLEARING OUT THE ACCUMU

OF URINE IN HIS

LATION

An

boy

a

child

REMEDY FOR

-

,

a

.

: -

a

hennu vessel

she had

had drink out quaint remedy relieved retention

If

.

cool flask

girl

A

a

If

-

-

.

Sweet Beer

of

To

-

plucked

he

Blossom

children were specially pre regulate Micturition child put from nebat plant was the

scribed

for .

Urinary ailments

four days

.

for

duat -plant Water

of

80

Xent is it

,

-

to

,

,

it .

if

to

is

to

,

be

in is to

is

it

to

he

if

his

a

is in

a

given pill which grains are made into the child manage food old enough But suckling that treated the wet nurse spit directed warm her mouth first and then

THE URINARY SYSTEM

81

it into the mouth of the babe for four days. This interpretation of the passage , however , is open to

question and is opposed by several writers who have quoted the prescription in their works. Their con tention is that the Scribe intended the mother to swallow the Pill , the child receiving the benefit of it in the maternal milk .

XIV

CHAPTER

OF WOMEN

DISEASES

The women's section covers

of

, it of

:

quality their milk smells like the pollen be

,

it

be

to

distinguish them good the milk

the

.

of of ,

,

to to

,

,

thus

if

enable

of

for

some four or five pages Papyrus of the and includes remedies errors menstruation and lactation diseases the breasts and genitalia aids abortion and parturition and various nursing mothers Two valuable hints these hints

-

.

prognosticate the fate

of

the new born -

them

to

of

; if,

-

cries

will live will die

. .

cries

CHILD ON THE DAY IT IS BORN

it it

it it

If If

PROGNOSIS FOR

ni A ba , ,

child

:

enable

,

on

bad the other hand the milk smells like the entrails the mehit fish Other hints uah grain

be

82

,

Wonderfruit Honey

,

this failed

a

was douched

If

.

Fennel

,

douche composed

Garlic and Wine

of

mixture

of

a

To regulate menstruation the patient with

.

.

it

its

, it

loud lamentation heard will die looks down face will thereupon die lets

a

it it

If If

ANOTHER

and

DISEASES OF WOMEN

83

Beer was substituted and persisted in for four To protect a virgin from Leucorrhea it was the limbs necessary to anoint her breast , body , and Sweet

a

to

a

in

result could

brought

by

.

-

of -

-

,

a

the breast woman about child Bones the Swordfish were warmed and her backbone smeared therewith The same be

in

Oil

of

To produce Milk suckle

crushing the dried liver

.

in

a

with lotion prepared Swallow Sour Milk

of

by

all

days.

about

mixing

Fragrant

it

,

-

REMEDY TO CAUSE

:

is

,

,

a

on

on

remedies

:

lack

of

.

no

there was A

,

,

-

-

,

or

.

to

,

however

labour

It

a

in

in

and applied the first

of

Acanthus were sprinkled cloth ensured abortion either the Vulva second third period To hurry ,

,

Dates Onions and the Fruit crushed vessel with Honey

the -

,

To

.

-

the Poppy

eat

)

(

which had been made from Soured Durra plant and making her while she legged sat cross bring about abortion only one remedy given Bread

with

WOMAN TO BE DELIVERED

TO CAUSE ALL AND

-

salt

THAT IS IN

hennu vessel -

CHILD IN THE BODY OF

.

her genitals A

A

Warm Oil and pour

ANOTHER TO LOOSEN Sea

EVERYTHING

WOMAN TO FALL

-

-

new

in

Crush

a

-

Pot

of -

THE BODY OF

A

ANOTHER

her bare posterior

.

the woman apply

on

Let

it to

Peppermint

WOMAN

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

84

Clean Grain

of - Wheat

-

Female Reed Plaster the abdomen therewith . ANOTHER

Fresh Salt

Honey Strain and take for one day. ANOTHER

Fennel Incense

Garlic sert - juice Fresh Salt Wasp's dung

Make into

a ball and put in the Vagina .

ANOTHER

Tail -of - a - Tortoise Shell -of - a- Beetle sefet -oil

sert -juice

Oil

Crush into one and poultice therewith .

To remedy for four

a diseased Breast one could plaster it days with a compound of Calamine , Cow's

Brain , and Wasp's dung ; or one could invoke the goddess Isis by means of a magic formula :

DISEASES OF WOMEN MAGIC

85

FOR THE BREAST

FORMULA

The Breast is the

same

Breast of Isis

diseased

who in the city of Xebt bore the gods Su and

the

of -

-

be

the

,

-

,

of -

-

-

, it

this Magic Formula plant said over aat Health corn over Fruitful Part Reeds over the Hair

She has prepared

to

for

Tefnut !

to

.

OVER

,

-

-

-

,

HEALTH GRAINS -

-

-

OVER

HAIR

.

-

-

-

OF THE ABT PLANT

-

-

PORTIONS AND GIVE THEM

.

.

POUR OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE

SEVEN

be

-

IT

LET MAKE

Prevent .

AAT PLANT

OVER THE FRUITFUL PART OF REEDS OF THE HEAD

,

.

nor bleed

,

of

.

in

of

all

,

OVER

nor rub

the Eyes which ensues ,

SPEAK

as

,

by

a

it

express

the dryness

as

,

of

-

Neither

all

drive out abt plant which we bring here Deadly Diseases many kinds there are discharge cleansing the Left Side Deadly Diseases against Prepare kinds

The Vulva could

of

in

,

,

-

the disease progressed and corrosion occurred

.

of ,

in

to in

so

,

the the

of

,

now had often before composed Fresh Dates and

Ass and the douche Ass's Milk ,

douche spite

pustules appear as

,

measures

,

vigorous

is

these

vagina recourse

is

of

.

Fresh Dates and Hog's Bile administered

If ,

Hog and ,

the Cow was discarded for the

a

If

.

Oil

of -

to

of

,

.

as

a

-

-

a

of -

by

protected against the entry which Garlic and douche disease ingredients Horn Cow figure Should this prophylactic fail and inflammation ensue the douche Cassia and Bile the Cow one was changed injecting

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

86

To correct the displaced uterus , the remedies recommended were almost as ingenious as they were useless : TO ALLOW THE WOMB OF A WOMAN

REMEDY

TO SLIP

INTO ITS PLACE

The - Film - of - Dampness -which -is - found - on -the Wood -of -Ships (mould ) Rub in Yeast -of - Fermented - Beer and let her drink it . ANOTHER

Put

an

Ibis -of -Wax on

the coals and allow the

fumes thereof to penetrate into her sex -organs. ANOTHER

Dried Human excrement Put in Incense

; the woman bends herself over the same and lets the fumes thereof penetrate into her sex -organs .

ANOTHER

Oil - of -the - Earth

(?

Petroleum

)

with

peddu

(manure )

Keep in Honey and rub the body of a woman therewith . ANOTHER

Dried Excrement Froth -of - Beer

OF WOMEN

DISEASES

87

Joachim suggests prolapsed uterus

smear

the

.)

(

that she was

to

.

all

Rub the finger of the woman therewith and put it to her limbs against her sufferings

With one more

from the women's section

extract

WHEN

THOU

EXAMINEST

A

:

we may pass on

WOMAN

HAS

WHO

a

as

of

is a

,

and has had coitus

make

Berry

82

-

-

the uan tree

3

of -

:

,

Magic Formula thou for her

as

:

So

.

to

to

;

it ,

is

;

LIVED many years without her Menstruation having appeared she vomits something like though foam and her body fire were under but she recovers after the vomiting rising then say thou her This Blood spoken the Womb soon she has the

Caraway Incense

-

uah grain

.

days

.

-

to

Put Cow's Milk the Fire with Thigh tallow Add Milk thereto and let her take for four

XV

CHAPTER

DISEASES OF THE '

Skins , ' we gather from

SKIN

the remedies prescribed , were

placed in three categories

exfoliative , and mixture composed

irritative

:

,

ulcerative . For the common Itch a of Onion , crushed in Honey and taken in Beer , was prescribed . If the Itch was confined to the Neck , a Chopped -up Bat applied to it as ' at once. For the Thigh :

a

poultice healed it

FOR THE THIGH

REMEDY

Onions

Dried Beans Red Natron Sea -salt

Sour

Milk

Make into a poultice .

IT

itching

the

spread to

all

If

HEALS AT ONCE .

the limbs and became

,

-

-

-

.

88

.

- , of -

,

of

,

,

a

,

Among generalized various remedies were available them Poultice Corn Natron Clay from the Gate This was Dates Onions Incense and Refuse

DISEASES OF THE SKIN

89

calculated to soothe it , but there was also sure remedy for it :

certain

a

the

ANOTHER TO ALLAY ITCHING

Meadow

-

-

Cyperus -from Onion meal Incense

-

Wild Date juice

.

REMEDIES

.

THE

.

PERSON

ONCE

.

HEALS

.

to

,

OF

EVERY LIMB OF AT

A

IS

IT

SEE

the itching were

by

.

YOU

THE TRUE REMEDY

THE GOD Osiris WHICH DRIVES AWAY

REMEDY

IN

IN

IT

,

YES

the scurvy place

THE PROVEN

AMONG

THE TEMPLE

SCURF

THIS

BECAUSE

IS

IT

FOUND

WAS

A

LOOK TO

IT

Make into one and apply

accompanied

or

·

-

Yeast

of

,

,

-

a

Man

was warmed and

of

-

In -

.

as a

,

A

.

, of -

,

Semen

of

,

rubbed

and Juice the Wild Date poultice applied the event of -

Wine

-

,

native plants

in

,

, of

'

If

blood corro simple the trouble became involved and mild question remedies were out the concoction Elderberries Linseed Wormwood Natron and various sion

this and similar

,

-

,

of

;

-

.

of

,

remedies not bringing relief rectal injections were employed Fresh Milk One such enema consisted and Sea salt another Fresh Milk Sea salt and

is

,

;

,

,

, of

,

of

,

I

.

another

of

;

Urine Onions and Oil and Honey Fresh Milk Olive Oil Copper still another that treatment This line rust and Collyrium Incense

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

90

known as counter -irritation and persists to this day, though not in this form , nor with these ( nor similar ) remedies, nor indeed for this particular disease .

Berry

For common scurf - tree

the ketket -plant and the were ground into one with the

Milk

for

of -the - uan

of

If a

IT

,

,

and

employed

were

or

measures

,

Further heroic

re

so .

.

.

“

DRIVES OUT the Scribe added reassuringly One

-

-

',

devoutly hopes

of ',

a

.

all

in

,

of of - -

-

Dog's dung

the Xet plant were taken

-

Berries

com

scurf was

the

Person the Limbs poultice composed

heroic measures the shape Pieces excrement Cat's dung ALL THE SCURF

A

,

-

Hardenings

of

by

‘

plicated

in

be

to

for four days

taken

.

four days simpler but hardly less pleasant remedy comprised equal parts Sea salt and Beer which likewise had

of

of -a -Woman , strained , and drunk

,

-

,

,

-

-

, the

-

-

-

If

-

.

-

of -

a

of

to

.

'

in

an

‘

,

when Scabs Limb appeared First endeavour was made coax them away with poultice Clay from Wall Wheaten Flour and Fat the deher animal strained into Yeast of they resisted this another poultice was Sweet Beer commended

every

Cyperus

-

,

-

-

,

.

-

oil ,

-

,

occasion for other remedies followed

:

,

on

this failed

,

-

:

in ,

-

at

Cyperus from from the Marshes Cyperus the Fields knots and Red Corn were crushed Fresh Oil Goose and Semen But even hand

ANOTHER .

falls off

.

Ulcer until

the

Men's

it

Put on

-

in

Milk

huru grain

DISEASES OF THE SKIN

91

ANOTHER

Ass's am

Milk

of dough

Put on

Ulcer until it falls off .

the

ANOTHER

Wasp's dung in Milk -of- the-Sycamore. Put on the Ulcer until it falls off . Only half of

good work was

accomplished for

off ,

the

AFTER

IT

HAS FALLEN

:

of

however when the scabs had fallen the lesions were now assailed with any the following OFF PUT THEREON

as

Woman who has borne

a

Milk

and apply

Fresh

in

thoroughly

Poultice

.

a

Mix

it

.

Scribe's excrement

and apply

ANOTHER

Put

thereon

.

Wasp's dung Fresh Milk

-

-

-

-

-

. Poultice

.

,

Son

Milk

-

with

-

Mix

Cedar tree

as of a -a

of -

Tops

the -

ANOTHER

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

92 ANOTHER

A

piece

of Lead

Cat's dung Dog's dung

Apply

Poultice.

as a

ANOTHER

A Hog's Tooth Cat's dung

plant

Poultice

a

in

a

a

To

:

A

.

'

'

Stinking Ulcer either drive out Man Woman one rubbed the body with ball made Powdered Onions Paste was also provided

of or

.

Pound and apply

as a

-

-

xet

Berries

the

of -

aau - of - samu -

oil

Dog's dung

ANOTHER

Tortoise

-

Thorns

of -

Ostrich Egg tree

-

-

-

the

am

shell

kind

:

'

there was still another

all

-

of

'

.

it

tired doing the cure This was

one did

remedy

get

If

BUT DON'T GET TIRED DOING

.IT

.

Warm and anoint therewith

DISEASES OF THE SKIN TO FREE THE FLESH FROM

REMEDY

93

DISEASE

Milk

Ass's

Resin - of- Acanthus

Indigo duat - plant

.

Sea

the skin one cooked salt and Urine and ,

spots

mixture

on

a

in

To drive away leprous

some Onions

four days

-

strain , and take

on

,

of

Cook

for

Turpentine -nuts Honey

-

in of On so

be

was particularly

.

of

the Eczema

daily with smeared Rotted Cereals

Bread meal

.

'

,

head

-

if

offending

still and

persisted

was

dressed

with

,

.

abra oil -

'

,

Hippopotamus fourth day with Oil On After this course intensive treatment the .

with

the oil .

-

,

.up

-

-

of -

a

it

troublesome day painted the first the head was with lotion durra meal and Fruit the Dompalm warmed Soft Fat and was then bound On the second day the head was anointed with Fish On the third day .

fact

.

its

to

-

-

In of -

lightly

of of -

-

-

, of

.

it

-

-

a

by

to

the face was treated the spots Herpes frequent dressing the Inner part the Castor Oil tree and Red lead the rouge effect the accounting probably But for inclusion latter Eczema the Head was not dismissed applied

CHAPTER

XVI

DISEASES OF THE EYES NINE

pages

of

the original papyrus are devoted to

eye

conditions ,

a fact which need occasion no surprise to anyone acquainted with that country even after the thousands of years that separate us from that far distant period . In a separate volume published in

1889 Ebers gave a detailed translation of this inter esting chapter , differentiating the following conditions :

Blepharitis Blindness Carcinoma Cataract Chalazion Chemosis

Ectropion Entropion Granulation Hæmorrhage Hydrophthalmus Inflammation

Iritis Leucoma Ophthalmoplegia 94

DISEASES OF THE EYES

95

Pinguecula Pterygium Staphyloma

Trichiasis

To improve the sight warming

a

“

lotion

Chips -of- a -new -hennu -pot

prepared

'

Milk

Fresh

in

by

Another lotion could be prepared by combining Cream with the Milk -of -a -Woman who - has - borne - a - Son . Apply to the eyes frequently , is was recommended .

A number of

salves are also given in each

of Collyrium Collyrium figures which . Thus in one the is simply combined with Honey ; in another with Honey and Sap -from - Fresh -Onions ; in another with added .

the Marrow - of - an - Ox ;

in another with Goose -grease

Water ; in another with Incense and Real Lapis lazuli ; in another with Antimony, Copper - vitriol , Writing - Auid , and Onions ; and in still another with Writing - fluid , Myrrh , Opal - resin , Arabian -wood powder , and Saltpetre - from -Upper - Egypt. For Bleary Eyes one beat up Myrrh , Onions, the -

and

.

.

-

-q

a

on

for be

the

of -

,

,

,

Verdigris, and Cyperus -from North with Antilope dung adit animal Clear Oil and Entrails painted This could with Vulture's feather

, ,

of

or

,

—

)

-

to

so

as (

:

—

to

-

of

Fortunately Bleary eyed panel patients that day Antilopes and for those whose means did not run and Vultures not mention qadit animals the homely Ass stepped into the often before breach and offered himself rather part himself for their benefit

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

96 ANOTHER

REMEDY

Ass's Tooth

Mix in Water and apply around eyes so that he recovers quickly .

the Patient's

The remedy does not sound very convincing but it has the merit of being clean and as such is infinitely to be preferred

‘ remedy ' employed by

his )

,

,

his

his

to for

a recent patient of the writer who the three weeks preceding surprise unavailingly had been vigorously and bathing bleary eyes night and morning with

(

to the

!

own urine

.

of it

If

,

up

-

,

'

a

with Ink and Water was another

TO DRIVE OUT BLOOD IN THE EYES

in

-

-

.

-

a

of -

:

-

-a

-

of -

vessels one put powdered Dompalm Woman and Milk the has borne Son In the other Cow's

Fruit who

Milk

.

Two Clay

-

ANOTHER

powder

Then there

:

.

'

,

powder crushed was recommended

to

,

,

a

,

to

A

of

simple poultice Incense and Crocus equal parts often sufficed clear Bloodshot Eyes did not more complicated poultice composed Collyrium and Arabian wood Verdigris Onions

.

-

con

.

of -

- In

.

Keep moist the morning bathe both eyes from the Fruit the Dompalm Next wash Eyes the with the Cow's Milk four times for six days

for

,

a

Xanthelasma seemingly proved troublesome dition after laying down various remedies the

DISEASES OF THE EYES

97

Scribe thought it advisable to impart some ginger into the treatment : ANOTHER

TO

DRIVE

OUT

FAT - IN

- THE - EYES

Red - lead

I

Goose - grease Smear the eyes therewith .

I

SEE TO

IT !

Another remedy approximated more to the modern treatment of the disease : ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT FAT -IN

-

THE - EYES

Knife - stone

Mix in Fresh Milk and apply thereto very To - day it is the Knife instead of

a

often .

Knife - stone that

we apply to the eye , while the patient is instructed to drink the Fresh Milk . ' To him whose two eyes suffer from a flow of matter ' a poultice of Clay -from - a -Statue, Leaves - of the - Castor -oil- tree, and Honey , is advised . To restore the lustre of the eyes one could apply a poultice of Onions, Resin , and Verdigris, crushed in the Milk of - a - Woman -who - has - borne - a - Son . If a film covered the eyes the remedies were many , but two will suffice : TO DISPEL THE FILM IN THE EYES ON THE FIRST DAY

Water - from -the - Bird -pond

I

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

98

Whether this was drunk or merely applied to the eyes does not appear ; but fortunately in the next remedy there was no room for doubt : REMEDY

FOR

THE

FILMING

WHICH

- OVER

I

of -a -

Body

-

Dried -excrement - from -

the

IN THE EYE

RISES

Child

the Eyes

.

to

then apply

to set

Milk and

Fresh

in

Put

I

Honey

off

ANOTHER

-

of it

or

,

.

,

,

a

of

.

on

a

complaint that Leucoma was these far Oculists away their mettle They tried coax Colly with lotion Cream and Milk another rium Ink and Water These failing they ground powder and applied and Collyrium they poultice Next dressed the eyes with Powdered Granite Then getting desperate they tried

of

of -

-

:

,

to

'

ANOTHER

the from Collyrium and the Bile Finally they resorted Magic plus the Tortoise mixed with Honey

made

a

-

Brain

of -

-

fish

.

paste

abdu

-

a '

.

a

it .

to

some Ebonywood

TO DRIVE OUT THE WHITE GROWTH

IN THE

in

the Southern Sky

the

-

.

leads hither what he finds

so

.

.

in

the Sun god beat their oars his side fall into the water ?

Who

-

Ship folk that the heads

at

The

of

The Hall

Uproar the Northern Sky Pillars falls into the Waters

of an

There

is

.

is a

Shouting There Darkness

in

EYES

DISEASES OF THE EYES

I lead I lead

99

forth what I find . forth your heads .

to

.

THERE

-

a

-

Tortoise on

Honey and then laid

the

.

in

of -

.

repeat over the Brain

mixed

is

A

formula

ARE

,

SO MANY

that Eyes

Fevers

possible Deadly Arts to

and

place

.

fasten what has been cut from you in lead you forth drive away the God

all

I

I

of its

I lift up your necks .

which

had

the

Honey and Verdigris

Isinglass

;

poultice

;

-

Goose grease and

.

'

a

tried

condition

their wits end

as

was

was another

at

Cataract Ancients

the gods

.

-

the call made

to

in

revealed

to

,

,

is

itself

,

Lapis lazuli Milk and Crocodile earth Incense But how intractable this disease must have proved

re

:

inforce the remedy

ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT CATARACT IN THE EYES

,

!

,

!

Come Verdigris Come Verdigris

!

,

Come Thou Fresh One

gushes

!

from Osiris drives away from him Water

,

him

!

Juice that

He comes

,

,

Come

he

Tum

to

of

!

,

It

,

of

Come Efflux from the Eye the god Horus comes That which issues forth from the Eye

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

IОО

,

things evil

of

,

of

every kind and

uxedu

all

all

Matter, Blood , Inflammation of the Eyes , Mattery -discharge, Blindness , Dripping Eyes . Deadly Arts the This the God of Fever works these

.

eyes

be

- to

Words

ARE OF THEM

spoken over Verdigris mixed with

.

Beetle wax

.

THERE

and carefully apply

the

.

Add Cyperus thereto Eye

to

SO MANY

Pterygium

,

,

eye

by

,

on

in

Another growth the kindly judging looked

not

was

the remedies which these

soon passes

on

but

,

Beetle wax

he

these must have proved useless for

-

with another

of

following

it

,

comb

of

an

.

to

to

Certainly the people appeared ready submit Honey Scribe leads off with inoffensive poultice

up

;

,

is

,

-

-

-

-

of -

.

to

more complicated and stronger remedies Excre ment the henut bird recommended mixed with Sea salt and Incense then descending from the

:

a

-

crushed

some

a

but what the only brave

be

of

-

in

Vulture the Egg following colour the turned out man would say

Collyrium

at

an

when

of -a , -

too

to ; he

.

-

,

golden eye ointment

.

,

of -E

up

,

-

is

-U

-

,

,

of

he

clouds sets down another composed Lizard's pper gypt and Honey dung Collyrium Soda from composed Another poultice Black Knife stone and Crocodile earth mixed with Honey and attempt flavoured with Incense He made

DISEASES OF THE EYES ANOTHER

TO DRIVE

OUT

IOI

PTERYGIUM

Red - lead

I

Powdered - wood

- from

- Arabia

I

Iron - from - Apollonopolis -parva Calamine

I

Egg -of-an - Ostrich Saltpetre - from -Upper - Egypt

I I I I

I

Sulphur

Honey Make into one and apply to the Eyes .

Eyes which suffered from a ' flow of matter ' were dismissed with a mere couple of remedies. Clay - from up in Honey along with some Leaves - from Castor Oil tree and applied the eyes easily put The second remedy was not to

up

.

for a in

.

-

was now washed

Water for four was soaked the Milk

of -

;

Goose grease

It

then for another four days

days

-

Some Real Collyrium was soaked

in it in so

,

-

-

.

-

was ground the

a - Statue

to

,

-a -

.

,

-

of

of of

on

a

in

to

:

remedies

for

,

country

the rising ophthalmologist the same time they must have

very severe drain the live stock perusal may some seen from prescribed that irritating affliction

as

proved

a

.

Ancient Egypt

At

veritable godsend

be

a

of

a

on

it

-

-

,

.

-

dry Woman who had borne Son and allowed nine days Thereafter was crushed with some Myrrh made up into ball and rubbed the eye ingrowing eyelashes The victims must have been

the the

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

I02 TO DRIVE

OUT TRICHIASIS

I I

Myrrh Lizard's Blood

I

Bat's Blood

Tear out

the

Hairs and put thereon in order to

make him well .

TO PREVENT THE HAIR GROWING

IT

HAS BEEN

PULLED

INTO THE EYE AFTER

OUT

I

Incense -ground -in -Lizard's -dung Cow's Blood

I I I

Ass's Blood

Pig's Blood Dog's Blood

I

Stag's Blood

I

Collyrium

I

Incense

I

Crush , rub into one in the different kinds of Blood , and place on the part whence the Hair has been pulled out so that it may not grow again

.

ANOTHER

I I I

Bat's Blood Rim - of - a -new - hennu - vessel

Honey Powder and pulled out .

place

where the

Hair

has

been

DISEASES OF THE EYES

103

ANOTHER

I I I

Fat -of - an - Ox Olive Oil Entrails -of -Moles

Crush into one , put on the fire, and put in the place of the Hair . ANOTHER

I

Brain -of - the - uuat -bird

Smear a Vine - leaf therewith and put in the place whence the Hair has been pulled out . ANOTHER

Wasp's dung

I

Red - lead

I I

Urine

Mix and put in the

places

where the

Hair

has

been pulled out .

Still another eye - condition which set these Ancients was

Blindness

.

Only

three

remedies

were

by

given

for

thinking

a

,

be

'

we

‘

.

,

of

.

,

,

in

.

,

a

The first lotion made may Sour Milk sure The second however poultice Powdered Onions most assuredly made the blind man see stars The third remedy spared the this calamity crushing Dried Myrrh accomplished nothing

:

,

-

,

patient somewhat the disease being attacked through that less sensitive organ the ear

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

104 ANOTHER

AGAINST

BLINDNESS

The Two Eyes of

a

Pig

remove the water

;

therefrom

True Collyrium Red - lead

Wild Honey Crush , powder , make into one , and inject into he Ear of the Patient . Thereby he will at once recover . When thou hast seen properly to this mixing , repeat this Magic Formula :

I

HAVE BROUGHT

THE

PLACE .

THIS THING AND PUT IT IN ITS

CROCODILE

IS WEAK AND POWER

LESS .

( Twice ). *

For the Drawing -together of the Pupil of

whatever that may mean with

a

lotion

made

the

Eye ,'

one bathed the eye frequently by crushing Shavings - from

,

,

of

),

-

the -

in -

‘

is

',

(

DO .'

TO

“

.

WELL

for

IS

IT

in

Scribe adds FOR THE RIGHT THING Another eye salve Driving out Tumours prescribed Head for four days

MARK THIS

the

,

,

a

-

,

sac

Ebony -Wood with Soda - from - Upper - Egypt in Water . For a swelling in the Nose caused by inflammation of Collyrium Dried salve composed the tear Myrrh Arabian wood powder and Honey was rubbed

:

by

obscure ailment him

he

As

of

.

'

',

A

:

to

quote two salves while the Scribe also finds room for general use one AS PRESCRIBED BY THE PRIESTLY Xui the other AS TOLD US BY JEW PHARMACIST provides against any FROM Byblos well the eye not specifically dealt with

DISEASES OF THE EYES REMEDY

FOR

HAPPENED

THE EYE WHEN

EVIL

HAS

IT

TO

A Human

SOMETHING

105

Brain

Divide it in

halves

.

To one half add Honey and anoint the Eye therewith in the Evening. Dry the other half , crush , powder , and anoint the Eye therewith in

the

Morning

.

To correct Squint, Collyrium , Red - lead , and Soda and applied to the wandering eye . When the futility of this became apparent , a poultice of Onions, Granite , and Resin , was tried . were beaten into

a paste

This in turn failing to straighten the squinting optic , the animal world was combed for a remedy : TO DRIVE

AWAY SQUINTING

IN THE

EYES

Tortoise - brain

I

abra -ointment

I

Apply to the Eyes. The final choice falling on the Tortoise because of the comparative rarity of cross - eyed tortoises in Ancient

Egypt, it may

be

presumed

.

K

various

under the care and treat the Pharaohonic period

an

As

.

Oculist

of

place themselves

an

ment

of

reasons

to

visited rather frequently on those driven

for

Finally we have several remedies for ' Hotness in the Eyes ,' a condition which without doubt must have been

THE PAPYRUS EBERS

106

Baked Ox-liver , placed carefully thereon ' hopeful, but Soda -from -Upper Egypt (even when dissolved in Spring -water ) sounds

eye - cooler

·

does not sound very

positively alarming in spite of the Scribe's special note appended to the prescription : ‘ IT Heals it ! ' The third remedy , however , shows more promise , and reveals once again a belief on the part of these ancient doctrine of like- curing

physicians in the homeopathic like :

.

the Patient put

may

healed

on

-

an

let -

Ass be

in

in

Cool Water and Temples order that with

he

Mix

Jawbone

-

Tallow - from -

of -

TO DRIVE OUT HOTNESS IN THE EYES the

ANOTHER

his

forth

XVII

CHAPTER

OF THE EAR , NOSE AND

DISEASES

MOUTH

even when rubbed

-

if

,

tree

-

-

the

-

ears

beforehand with Fresh Olive

.

Oil

his

up

-

-

sufferer experienced any relief from having plugged with Red lead and Resin from

am

is

-

,

it

for

In contradistinction to eye -troubles , affections of the Ears receive scant treatment . As might be expected , the Ear that the chapter opens with a remedy extremely Badly the doubtful but Hears

, up

-

-

in

-

a

of -

or

-

,

an

.

,

-

,

in

as

in

resistant treatment those days and detailed instructions were sometimes neces

ears were ,

to

as

,

Oil could these

in -

Ass's Ear Red lead Caraway and Olive squirted into the Ear But discharging

be of

composed

Not that mattered much one Failing the above injection ,

.

safe

asserting

it as

.

,

-

-

the -

of -

from

recommended not altogether clear in

is is is

with Cream

Goose Grease ground Milk Cow various grains poultice injection but whether Incense

-

an

Ear that Discharges foul smelling Matter

application -

an

For

:

sary

TO TREAT

THE EAR

with cooling remedies not warm ones

.

,

Treat

it

ANOTHER

107

THE PAPYRUS EBERS When

the met trembles then make for him ut

for

HIM

MAKE

four days

CHARPIE

:

THEN

A

of Greenstone . Crush and apply

.

108

Oil

3

Honey Put frequently

his

,

:

it

of

opening then make him flows out ball which dries the wound

When

of Acanthus -

Resin

-

a

thereon

.

the rest

-

-

the

-

- of - of -

Resin the Zizyphus Lotus Berry Willow Caraway .

Crush and apply thereto

thick thereunder MAKE FOR HIM THE DRIES THE WOUNDS ,

is

WHICH

of -

the amamu animal -

-

Head

-

REMEDY

:

it

When

Gazelle's Ears -

Tortoise shell plant

-

annek

of

-

;

If

- it of -

the the

of

from

itself

-

that which presents

i.e. -

Slime

-

for him

(

of -

,

Greatness

the

does not fall from him onto the

make

it in

then

earth

through the shooting forth

-

up

If

god

it

clears

Su .

It

,

a

it is

.

.

it

Very frequently this stops completely Make the same without delay flows forth Healing onto the earth then the Ears

,

-

-

it

;

;

-

-

),

tumour and enclose the Milky Juice Sycamore may bind up his that Tree the blood neither Oil nor Honey put thereto

DISEASES OF EAR , NOSE , AND MOUTH cut off

half, as one would not wish that his

a

...

Blood fall away from the other half certain ).

WHEN

109 ( un

.

AFTERWARDS

RECOGNIZEST THAT

THOU

IT

FOR HIM

HAS BOUND ITSELF , SO MAKE THOU

:

Oil Wax Cook and plaster therewith Don't use too much .

which

,

abundance then have the back his head

Linen band tied around

.

of

a

it goes

in

If

breaks .

way every swelling

same

off

Treat in the

.

it

.

of

,

in of

in

a

of of

in

of

Considered the light more recent research pity for the sake the patient that the Linen seems band was not thought the first place and the remainder the remedy conveniently forgotten Lastly the event ulceration forming and :

extending into the Ear WHAT

TO DO TO TREAT

ULCERS WHICH

EXTEND

INTO

THE EAR is

,

-

-

.

-

of -

in

.

a

is

swelling internally There There matter from the ulcers and from the dirt his Ears with fluid like Water the fermented mesxa drink Go round the Ulcers with the Knife .

so

of it

it

.

.

it

;

a -

is

as

there

-

as

Prepare for Disease therein Charpie him Oil and Honey put inside of Flax of cloth Plaster therewith that becomes well far

THE PAPYRUS

IIO The

EBERS

nose is dealt with even more summarily

than

the only condition men by pouring juice  tioned . It could be treated  Date into rubbing the nostrils , by or the Nose with Peppermint in - Dates ; or much morevigorously , not to mention are the

Ears ,

Coryza being

picturesquely , by Surgery and : TO CHARM

combination a

ofMagic , Medicine

AWAY CORYZA

Spit it out , thou Slime, Son of Slime : Grasp the bones, touch the skull , smear with tallow , give the patient seven openings in the god , god . , Thoth the Ra thank the head serve

Then I brought thy remedy for thee , thy for thee , to drive away , to heal it :

Milk - of - a -Woman Fragrant

drink

-who - has - Borne - a - Son

Bread

( Once again )

The Foulness rises from out The Foulness ! ( Four times ). TO BE SPOKEN

OVER THE MILK -OF-

HAS - BORNE - A -SON

PuT IN THE Considering

AND

Earth

the

!

A -WOMAN

FRAGRANT

BREAD

-WHO .

NOSE .

the indignities

that we have

seen put

)

is

.

its

upon , or rather into , the mouth of the Ancient Egyp tian by the physicians of the day , it is remarkable to lightly that cavity (with note how contents escaped damage tongue serious The diseased dismissed

DISEASES OF EAR , NOSE , AND MOUTH with

few simple remedies.

a

At first

111

Milk -gargle is

a

deemed sufficient : BEGINNING OF

OF

THE

REMEDIES

TO

DRIVE

OUT

DISEASES

THE TONGUE

by

the Milk reinforced chewing gargle turned into the is

persisted disease

the

spit out

).

(

,

If

Gargle and put on the earth

i.e.

Milk

:

-

a

Goose grease and remedy ANOTHER grain

-

amaa

-

Goose grease

Milk

of

.

Chew

,

,

,

-

it

chew

Times being

Nine

we

was

Dom

-

-

of

-

-

at .

,

',

‘

from

need

all ,

to

appeared these

that

time was strengthening which after wondered Powdered Fruit the be

time not

,

for the teeth

all

to to As

.

a

to

specific instruction added

-

,

-

,

be

;

,

-

Another chewing remedy was composed Cow's Milk Fresh Bread and Bullock's Fat while still prepared from another could Goose Grease Honey Incense Caraway seeds Fresh Lead earth and Water

,

it

:

,

,

extra stubborn -

tried while

;

it

If

Lead earth was -

and Fresh

.

on

,

palm with Honey effected this learn was rubbed the teeth did not then Incense Verdigris

THE PAPYRUS try

112

EBERS

a

by

'

.

of

in -

-

be in

-

Crocus

reme

one the

Sweet Beer was -

;

of

method

recommended .

dies

in

could still grittier preparation the shape Honey strengthening powdered Pebbles The process could also carried out the chewing cases

a

to

,

, it

.

of of

-

.

a

herbs still ignorance in

we

,

,

Aloes and Water not mention whose name and natureare

Wood

the

variety

of

Onions

,

a

Cyperus to

Crocus

,

,

, by

-

These were dealt Incense

may mean whatever they plaster with which included

',

the Teeth

-

Blisters

in

•

.

,

-

,

-

, of

!)

to

(

Gumboils even the Ancients suffered from these painful afflictions were also found yield chewing remedy composed Fresh Cow's Milk grain provided however Dates and uah was kept moist and chewed Nine Times And they also had

XVIII

CHAPTER

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM The proper interpretation to give to tắe word has exercised the ingenuity essayed

has

met '

of every

Egyptologist who the various medical

of

the translation

of

knowledge

to

as

state

is

it

rests the

we

these Ancients the anatomy the body knowledge human and that gauge can only from papyri such the one we are now concerned with a

,

of -

of

met

,

,

-

-

,

-

,

-

-

a

!

-

113

an

as

There

salves

Oil

ingredient

was

also

a

of

another had

Sandal maker

great

;

of no

.

,

,

;

the -

-

oil

these salves contained Cat's

:

-

from

the

of

.

another Worm

accomplished with variety choice

likewise

amount trouble being given One Leather poultice

of -

a

was

met

of

the

-

,

plant and

refreshing the

the Ox Fat the Ass Fat the Poppy the Dompalm Xehua grain Sea salt served the purpose To strengthen -

Fat

Fruit

matter

mere

of -

Ram

-

,

poultice

of -

were

of

it

If

.

as

:

enjoyed

of

conclude by

best

on

to

Its

papyri which have survived to our day . Here , it undoubtedly refers to the nerves of the body ; but just , appear  undoubtedly there it would as to apply to the blood - vessels . exact interpretation then

THE PAPYRUS

114

EBERS

ANOTHER TO STIMULATE AND TO STRENGTHEN THE MET

IN

EVERY LIMB

Flesh - of - a - Fat - Cow affectedparts therewith

Poultice the

To make

.

supple was not so easy . One smearing the skin with a liniment

the met

of ,

an

surely The first was emer simple poultice Cow's Milk

of

,

.

complicated

-of

BeansThe second was more poultice Watermelon Fat

and

the

of

; it

was

a

.'

parts the met

the -

dry

gency remedy

would for

do

to

-

,

it

o

;

,

of -

-

,

-

it

'

fearing that

but apparently

hastenedt add two further remedies

he

of

so

prescription

*

the

let

-

“

.

-

fat ,

remedy advocated composed of Wine Garlic Yeast Bullock's Poppy berries and Saltpetre from South Oil dry Myrrh the Scribe added the not Do

being

, ,

-

,

TO MAKE

Fruit

-

amaa grains

THE MET

in

:

oil

the

Hog's dung Water numbered among those ingredients

the Dompalm

Beans Onions

largest prescription ,

—

Goose

-of

REMEDY

and

-

,

melon

and which

-

Papyrus

—

ingredients

seven

the

.

,

a

Egyptian Goat and Bullock's Flesh seasoned with Garlic and Onions complicated and flavoured with Honey Still more and poultice which boasted thirty imposing was another

SUPPLE

THE NERVOUS

SYSTEM

Splinters -of -the - Cedar - tree Splinters -of -the-Mulberry - tree Splinters -of-the- Willow -tree Splinters -of-the -Zizyphus - Lotus Splinters -of-the-Sycamore Splinters -of-the -uan -tree Resin -of - Acanthus Resin -of- the - Zizyphus-Lotus Resin - of -the -am - tree Resin -of -the- Sycamore Red - corn Berries -of - the - am -tree

White Oil

Oil

Goose

Hog’s dung Elderberries

Myrrh Garlic

-C

Thorns -of -

the

Herbs - of - the - Field yperus

Watermelon

-

anab plant -

Red lead -

-

Fresh Lead earth -

of -

-

Natron Fat the Bullock

Delta plant

-

the

the Flax salt

-

-

of -

Mineral

-

-

-

from

Refuse

-

plant

abu

-

-

Barley plant Fennel

IIS

THE PAPYRUS

116

EBERS

sasa - pieces

Make into one and poultice therewith . For stubborn

cases which defied the above

remedies

the ultimate resource was to a poultice composed of to a paste with

Human excrement macerated and Berries -of -the - Coriander

Dates

.

the whole the Scribe did this part

of his work prescribed strengthen well . He remedies to the met of the Backbone , of the Shoulder , of the Thighs . ' For the met that runs to every limb'he recommended On

rubbing with a paste of Sour Milk and Breadcrumbs , every limb'he warmed ; while ' toprotect the met in poultice a of Cow's Flesh

of

, Cow's Bile , and left side of the Body One , an internal remedy,

the

of

the

,

-

at

of

a

the

time

eggs the

of

the

assimilating

.

or of

been

a

appears there have Scribe At any rate

he

the foregoing remedies doubt the mind the in

body human to

the possibility

.

-

-

like curing like

doctrine to

to

on

-g

.

Irregularities days cured the met were patient chewing uah rain while the same clapped poultice his buttocks Goose's still another illustration of the Scribe's belief

As

Bread

Cucumber four was taken for -

It -

.

,

of

,

,

-Z

-

,

izyphus Lotus Blossoms Beer Incense Wine and Sweet

of -

of

the

he set down several remedies . Grapes, andOnions was compounded of Figs ,

he

the met

by

For

in

counselled Goat's Fat .

very

:

of is

it

,

to

at

to

,

,

properly provided attempted provide against eventuality that with what success not very difficult estimate even this distance time

'

THE NERVOUS REMEDY TO ALLOW THE MET TO TAKE

Milk - of- a -Woman Let it stand in separates .

a

SYSTEM

117

UP THE REMEDY

-who - has - borne - a - Son

New Vessel until

Then smear the

Patient

the Cream .

XIX

CHAPTER

THE AAA Of

DISEASE of the

all the difficulties that beset the translators

Papyrus Ebers the most difficult centred around the diagnosis of the conditions which were continually cropping up in the text under the names of the AAA , and the uha -disease . Some -disease disease , the uxedu times these conditions were described and treated

as

being

for

to

.

·

a

of

'

' ;

worms the Papyrus there appears been worms the body that have in

kill

'

is

.

by

to on

Plate

disease And thirdly that the always the Phallus followed AAA was determinative sign This diagnosis Bilharzia

AAA

'

of

by

.'

,

as

by

symbol

a

the

.

caused

'

disease

Bilharzia

specifically related was

by

remedy

AAA

each

firstly that These were papyrus almost disease AAA the the qualifiedthe adjective deadly Secondly

diagnosed throughout invariably the disease example

first

the

facts

19

Three

.

to

sadly

led

other

at

. At other times they complicated

separately

,

118

and

as

or to

far ,

more popularly known

;

is

it

,

,

in

discarded is

,

is

Joachim who holds that the reality the AAA disease commonEgyptian Ægyptica the intestinal due scourge Chlorosis parasite Ankylostomum duodenale Hookworm however

from contradicting

THE AAA

119 he

set

DISEASE

to

'

(a

out

second

waves

aside

the

on

The

of

of

every four he

Egypt

.

population

to

for

afflicted one

of

)

,

'

Griesinger

.

his

of

of

by

in

he

to

his

turns them out above or belittling the three points support advantage contention own pointing out thatthe The first disposes applicable prefix deadly was even Chlorosis more Ægyptica ccording this scourge the authority

of

.

to

two other

is

in

must viewed the light firstly that thePhallus considerations

of

’

be

AAA

symbol

'

he as

to as to

as

'

apply the ground that the worms mentioned could equally the Hookworm the Bilharzia parasite point Then the third insists that the use the sign following the Phallus the determinative

the

its

of

(a

-

is

in

by

the

’

,

:

also the sign placed symbol determinative after AA which the much mentioned Ass designated the considerably very Papyrus diminishes fact which

frequent

);

to

as

is

to

As

the

females

were

.

,

,

and sterility Chlorosis

sequela the

in

,

to

males

of

impotence

in as

a

in

of

in

significance the importance former case secondly and generative organ that the use the male way applicable easily such Chlorosis Ægyptica delayed puberty Bilharzia since

-

,

he

,

are

its

in

-

,

-

.

to

to

on

He

feels

.

,

.

himself ,

-

it

the

stagesalthough

surer ground with uha disease however and unhesitatingly asso with Chlorosis Ægyptica

satisfaction ciates

early

point out thatthere careful certain objec that view which he cannot combat with to

tions

the scourge

to

is

he be

ascribed

of ,

and the uxedu disease merely they are manifestations Joachim holds that the AAA disease The uxedu disease declares can uhadisease

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS

diagnosis , and

contention

the

disease

,

AAA

,

or

or

by

evidence is in favour of Joachim's multitudinous remedies proposed

of

the balance the

But whatever the

by for

I 20

-

of

of

,

'

'

of

a

it

,

-

its

.

proof

as

complicated whether itself the uha disease scourge the uxedu disease brand the first magnitude are set down for remedies Scores ravages their combating numberproviding active to

at

a

.

in

confidence

DISEASE AAA

sau wood

the

Oil and give against

on an

It

Warm

in

Jochauflegung

may have

it .

of

-

TO REMOVE THE

-

random

modern practitioner with any feeling sample their success To take

:

of

proposed inspires

a

it

be

of

.

no

is

(

)

if

where the old adage that such were needed many which Added cure there cures there are the remedies maintained that any one can hardly

:

,

of

,

or

be

.

a

the

of

,

,

mixture

in

One

gives Scribe several ointments and

uxedu the

taken

is

.

various suppositories an infusion

be

mixtures

to

theuncomplicated

of

For series

in

is

to

a

it

merely oversight though probably been precaution was wise the part the Scribe but whether the remedy was taken internally externally left the extremest doubt

nature

THE AAA

DISEASE

I

2

I

FOR THE U XEDU

ANOTHER

Bark -of-the- Pomegranate - tree -soaked -in - Beer jug of Keep moist in a Water let

}

no

.

Strain a sufficient amount each morning and the Patient drink

-

and Sweet

Beer and

,

Lettuce

,

be ,

its

,

to

in

baked Bread Incense

for

-

Live Cow was combined with Freshly

-

Flesh

the

a

of -

in

it

at

.

is

,

be

evidence that this remedy benefited the feat This drunk could least but which hardly seems possible with the next mixture

There

patient

days

.

.

,

,

to

on

'

be

to

,

of

'

'

ordered drunk four Another mixture Dough Ass's Milk with Wine and Bitter Beer was days All that one also ordered drunk for four

skin

appear

off

if

.

,

,

the Cow's

,

,

.

mixture Onions days knocked the spots drunk for four probably would have the same effect were on

Milk

on

spots

Turpentine and

It

A

of

Sometimes the uxedu caused

to

.

is

it

appears can say favour that the surface be somewhat more fluid than the other concoction

by

complicated loss

salt Honey

He

the coun at

of

-

of

;

, to

L

a

to

in

would stand the test and seemingly resorted what many harried modern

he

.

he

,

for

to

he

,

in

a

,

as

,

-

salve Sea and Cow's Bile but later stage having doubts the potency Cow's proceeded Bile repeat the this connection Brain Cow's salve substituting however Cow's Bile Even now was not satisfied that the remedy a

selled

rather

.

disease was

a

the uxedu

uha disease the Scribe was

at

When

-

.

it

rubbed

despair practitioner

THE PAPYRUS

I 22

EBERS

recommended a palliative . In this case it was the old familiar householdremedy,

is driven to do to - day

— he

Castor Oil , that he employed ; but instead of adminis tering it in the old familiar household way , namely a tablespoonful internally overnight , the oil ordered he , to be rubbed in . Albeit he took a roundabout way of saying so : ANOTHER

TO DRIVE

OUT THE U XEDU

Oil -expressed - from -the -Seeds of -the -Castor - Oil bush personwho has the Smear therewith any swelling with stinking matter . Lo, the

uha Evil

will be driven away as if nothing ailed him . Let him use the Oil in the same way for ten , smearing days as an himself twice Ointment early the morning in order to drive away the disease as is proper . in

But if the Scribe

was at a loss before , he was

cer

up

in

in

it .

he

all

tainly desperate when he came to deal with the wood occurring by like uha - disease ' itself . Salves were They made pic that could offeragainst

,

,

,

,

.

,

A

to

-

bet'a Pot

of

be

.

picturesque

be

-

from

-

Soot

Sweet Myrrh would can

than

Honey and with only stickybut seem not Another made Ass's Head Corn and Oil only called asinine surely fourth wherein

Another dirty

sticky

.

more

the -

perhaps

of

would

be

.

of

turesqueness what they most assuredly lacked utility An ointment Hippopotamus Oil and Honey

THE AAA

DISEASE

Stone -from Memphis was ground up Grain in the Milk -of - a -Woman -who

-

123

with Seeds and has -borne - a - Son

was without a doubt gritty . It had to be persisted in days but does not seem to have been very for seven

successful since it was followed successively by other eight days ,nine salves which had to be rubbed infor days , and

days ten

, respectively.

Finally there remained a salve calculated to arouse feelings of homicide inevery poetic breast ; a salve sought which to combine Seeds - from - the - Blossoms - of the - Earth and Fresh Cream with

the

Hoof -of -an - Ass !

XX

CHAPTER

THE HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM To

the student the most interesting section

of the

Papyrus is undoubtedly the chapter dealing with Heart, or rather with the vascular system . At

in danger of assuming that the knowledge of the Heart and of action enjoyed these Ancients greater than reality But was much was one clearly established they made the reads that as

a

a

itselfthey would have important valves

a

,

.

of

is it

.

its

here

For

that The section well length Unfortunately .

at

save

for so

;

for

of of

in

of

124

a

of

.

a

,

the

is

assume

in

allowing But even knowledge anatomy which this Scribe reveals arresting and the whole chapter calls revised translation which the light our present advanced knowledge should the Ancients the language must

charity

or

a

of

it

entirety for much great part indeed that which sadly mistranslated be

,

untranslatable and follows would seem

all

at

forth

in

set

be

cannot

all to

they had arrived setting merits down

they would the organ

in

)

believe

grasped the real function have

flash

we

to

is

it

(

not too much

the

of

of

of

.

a

discovered the existence when

.

as

regarding the Heart not pump but closer had they made

well Perhaps mere examination the Heart

all -

as

fatal mistake

of

is

on it

it

in

its

by

sight one is

the

first

HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM definitely

125

much realknowledge of the they possess . Heart and of the Blood Vessels did reveal

how

THE BEGINNING OF THE SECRET BOOK OF PHYSICIAN THE SCIENCE OF THE ACTION

OF THE HEART AND

THE HEART

In the Heart

THE OF

ITSELF

are the vessels

to the whole

of

the

on

on

,

of

on

,

he )

of

all the limbs

.

.

to

.

called the centre of the vessels to

is

it

because its vessels

to

,

on

,

arms

stomach heart region the Everywhere feels his Heart run all his limbs Therefore ?

hands the the legs

the

(

on

,

on

his

body. As to these every physician , every sexet priest, every magician , will feel them when he lays finger the head the back the head

of

of

give

to

have given blood

Or

the Eyes Eyes through kinds diseases the arise them because they are open the Eyes When water comes out them the Pupils the Eyes that

of .

to

is

it

of

to

in

These thereof .

the back

of

in

and spread out

sleep

.

it

it .

according another authority brings Eyes forth the There are four vessels which divide the

in

Temple

.

After they

all

in

.

,

There are four vessels the Nostrilstwo which convey mucus and two blood There are four vessels the inside of either

Head after

caused

by

is

it

something below

-

If

.

to

,

to

it

its

.)

(

.

a

great mass wards bring forth hair Uncertain When the breath goes into the Nose makes way the Heart and Intestines and the last named vessels give the body richly thereof one hears the two vessels that

THE PAPYRUS

126

if

Collar -bone; or

go to the

EBERS one hears them there

under , behold

it is those that are in the upper Cheek - bones of aperson in that it is the rough wind that cuts into him when he draws his breath there from .

Or when the Heart absorbs Water his limbs

completely . When the Heart is struck it is that vessel whose name is ‘ Fasser ' that does it ;

fade away

is

a

.

.

to

,

o

to

,

to

the Feet three

They Left

reach down

.

threet the of the Feet

the Soles

to

vessels his

to

the There are two vessels Kidney the second the other

,

.

which

are four vessels

to

.

to

Testicles

to

two

convey the Semen Kidneys one one

,

,

o

the Arms three Left and they lead

.

to

the Right and

Kidney There

Right

Left

.

the Fingers There are six vessels that lead

are

.

goes the

-

-

-

to

to

There are six vessels that run the Right and threet the

There

to

.

,

to

to of -

Death into the Left

other words Breath Life side and Breath of Death the

right down

the Life goes

of -

.

Breath

-

to

Earstwo

of -

to

the Right Ear and Breath

Or

the

after

everything his

the Left

in

in

side and two

it

,

of

alert his vessels fall

their rising heat has dissolved There are four vessels

Right

and

the Intestine

the

,

is

-

.

parts on

of

the

His Ear

seething

Liver

up

in

a

his

all

it gives water towards the Heart or towards the Eye stopped up . he through the when it is When hears opening of his mouth his limbs show themselves benumbed after mist has gripped Heart anger behold his Heart arises When

the

Liver which convey

HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM sorts

to

of

disease

all

it Moisture and Air . Afterwards they

to

127

cause

thereinbeing mixed with

arise

the Intestines

and

which likewise convey Moisture and There are two vessels the Bladder which

the

Air

to

Spleen

.

There are four vessels

to

to

.

Blood

convey

Urine end

the Rectum

.

There are four vessels which

in

.

the

.

,

in

it

giveand bring forth Moisture and Air Afterwards they turn towards the Rectum each

They

is

of it

,

or is

,

vessels the

Heart .

of

They

are

as

far

the

they are not recognizable under growfull Air and Water an

.

thy hand

so

closed

Heart

the

up in

of

ness

.

,

to

to

the Right and Left side right down the Feet mixing itself with the excrement When the Heart sad behold the morose

vessel

in

is

it

the Heart feels aversion behold the Bitterness of the Heart because of Inflammation

,

When

.

spreads

out behold the

vessels

,

When his Heart

big and something forms his Eye

in it

as

in

.

the Anus Thou findest itself his Abdomen

of

.

of the Heart arewith excrement

is

is of is

up to in

by

,

it

-

When any kind dehert disease enters the Left Eye and comes forth from the Navel behold the Breath from the hollowed hand of the Priest that

his

Heart absolutely

.

.

deny him

their

,

When their clothes weigh them down behold

it is

.

vessels service

of

is

allowed the Heart enter his vessels Fire every kind His Heart Flesh his locked sick thereof because the Fire comes forth and the

THE PAPYRUS

I 28

EBERS

When his dehert

the dehert - disease .

- disease

breaks

out , behold it is dangerous. (Uncertain .)

in

an

mast disease contraction of the

Heart feels

.

,

is

-

the Heart behold ChestHis Heart has

its

in

while

the

is

When there

diaphragm

.

aversion

,

approaches

his

his

When the Heart is sick , behold there is an Oppression of the Heart, or it is an Overflow of Blood which arises in the Heart . It falls down and

a

uxedu Belly inside his .

,

the

He

-

sick

.

aat of

.

of

.

Heartsmall the upon The uxedu falls Heart He his

an

HeartWhen there

the Heart because

is

it is

.

,

itself behold

the

is

mast disease -

of

his Left Side

is a ,

his

at

.

left

Aies forth from its that

of

.

so

it

It

on

itself

.

lifts

appears his Heart Heart swims and sinks down

in

its

It

right

of

.

place

.

his is

Heart

its his -

not

in

behold

wards and

,

are

his shoulder dehert disease

frequently

When Heart

fat

of

,

in

layers

they collect When the

place

.

in

is

It

.

on

the Fat the upwards the left side neither rises nor place downwards remains soundly

is

falls

as

Weakness the result old age uxeduhis Heart When there at

is

the

Heart behold the lifts itself on its fat

Its

.

place

.

rising breast

It of it

When there behold

is

-

.

mast sick

its

is

Blood

behold his is

the

a

Heart consumes in

the

Accumulation

in

he

eat ,

If

disease

of of

.

his Heart quietens down little under fastidiously will but only

Heart

When

is

.

It

a

place Blood from the Anus which protrudes little because of the disease Fever of the

HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

129

When his Heart trembles and there is much fat under his Left breast , behold it is his Heart

sinking because the

which is

his disease by

spreading .

his

causes a little of

,

a

it

,

His Heart burns with Fire like

on

.

a

is

is

.

it is is

Abdomen palpitates caused swelling therein When the Mouth like Fire and weary behold becomes fatigued and the Heart because Fire forces itself towards his Heart

When

person

.

.

-

,

and beside itself heb xer Priest that

is

hand pene

hollow his

It

through the

,

-

a

is

Heartmiserable the Breath of the

tree

-

of

-

the Sycamore

person who

.

causes

his Heart like

of

it

it

the is

When

veiling

the Bull fruit

has eaten

behold

of

-

of

a

his

is

a

it

behold

a

whom fallen When heart experiences aversion like person who has eaten the Bull fruit the Sycamore tree

fatigue has

his

.

its

a

n

to

right down the Rectumi such manner way under that the Heart comes forth and loses the disease trates

is

it

,

is his in

eating

up

anger which

and darkness is

body because

closed

in

behold his Heart

of

his

,

ness

is

is

.

is

to

is

;

in

,

is

of

is

up

it .

of

When dryness befalls Heart behold the dryness Fire that befallsHe sighs often and his Heart eaten with anger this because his Heart full Blood which turn due drink ing Warm Water and eating Bad Food When his Heart afflicted and has tasted sad

),

(

-

is

quite withered like Flesh the stilled Person who has Found the Way died -

a

of

When Heart

his

.

Heart

THE PAPYRUS

130

EBERS

behold it is his Flesh which has become

immovable

under it , like the immovable flesh of a Person who has gone Into - the-Wide .. When it is Fate that he shall go -Up on -High , behold it is his Heart which determines that he shall go

Up -on - High .

The

concludes with

section

affections of with a little

the heart , some

various remedies

for

are mixed up

of which

' anatomy ' :

has Twelve Heart - vessels which spread out to all his Limbs . There are Two Vessels in the

:

-

-

Oil Plant and

be

strain

it

Water

,

Crush into one

let

the Sycamore ,

Fruit

the Castor -

Leaves

inflammation

Dates

of - of -

.

the anus Fresh

Breast which cause Use against this

in

region of

in

his

Man

Use against

Fresh

he

.

it

.'

disease

:

to

of

,

it :

are

“

to

Thigh When TwoVessels Thigh Thighs are suffers from his and both tremble say thou for This Vessel that Thigh has conceived his the region

There

a

his

.

taken for four days

Milk

Wormwood Natron

Cook into one and make

.

for four days

the Patient

drink

runs the

HEART AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Two Vessels to his

Sap

.'

,

-

well .

in

:

will become

the

disease

,

of in

neck and has pains both eyes neck the vessels the

taken

- it : of -

which have against

Beer and and poultice

It

him

glue

Watermelon

up is

his

.

is to ill in

then say

:

-

Prepare

A

-

the Xet tree Farmer's Urine

'-

he

When

Flesh

Thereby

his fingers

he

fingers tremble , then are swollen glands

Fish them he

or

Prepare against t'as plant

They

in

thou sayest to

“

him :

suffers in his Arm and his

When

Arm .

,

are

.'

There

131

in of -

Elderberry Berry

his

-

-

the sames plant

Honey and poultice with for four days

neck there

, his

, his

.

Mix

to

,

to

.

his

,

of

-

of

,

by

.

by

in

themselves the

diseases

other parts

.

for the Heart find place the Papyrus To drive

.

in

Numerous other remedies here and there

-

by

.

from

The

carried them their outflow brought hither the Thigh vessels Beginning until Death the

of

They

cheeks Back

are

anus are

his

Nosecollecting

his

off -

in

-

-

themselves

entirely

to

,

to

to

his

,

of -

to

his

in

Occiput Two Forehead Two his Eyes Two his Eyebrow Right Two Nostril Two Ear and Breath Life goes through them Two through Left Ear and Breath Death goes these entirelyfrom his Heart and They come divide

There are Two Vessels

THE PAPYRUS

132

out disease

EBERS , Honey, Milk

remedy of Heart one

in the

a

-of

, , ,

or

Cucumber itself

was given

:

-

no

certain

'

,

to

'

heal the heart

,

,

with Honey Dates Dough loop hole Then leave for

used

the

the

Blossoms

-

’

;

-

.

up

a

Figs one

drink

a

could

to

,

into

be

wereurged

Cucumber mashed

and Water remedy

in

Fever the Heart the -

For

.

meal

,

of

to

act

and Water, had simplicity if nothing else to commend proceeded automatically it . If it did not one Date stronger mixture Onions Sweet Beer and

-

or

,

which

the

is

is

for

tough

drink

,

-

of

,

,

,

,

Berries Incense Cara Goose grease Writing fuid and

,

Nasturtium

a

FleshFigs

Fat

-

way

,

composed

,

of

to

.

one day tougher propositions remedies were applicable only designation taken

of

,

for

-

Grain Wheat

Corn and Sweet Beer especially since they were onlyBut most the other

'

as

of -

such

' ,

,

be

to

face them appear very

the

very exception can be taken little

the simpler ones

Wine and

the

of

not although

promising to

on

Papyrus they

do

.

'

in

it

maketake Heart into proper working order and many remedy nourishment Like another

up

to

a

In

.

-

-

,

-

-

to

,

part, Fresh Lead earth onesixteenth thirty fivesixths was and Water second Cake oneencompass this end said put the addition one finds dozen remedies eighth

as a

,

,

.

—

a

,

,

,

-

to

;

,

,

or

concoction Fat FleshFigs Beerwith Willow Dates Incense Garlic and Sweet stiffening part eighth added tree one Sweet Beer

XXI

CHAPTER

a

reveal

which given

samples of

commendable amount

of

on

,

hereunder

of

The efforts at diagnosis ,

are

DIAGNOSIS

observa us be .

,

expressed quaintly which could improve that phraseology The mental picture that conjured the description the jump patient who wasnot condition the Nile patient whose abdomen that other wasweak

by

'

,

as

a

to

of

up a

child

tumour

the

a

fingers like the

goes and comes under

oil in -

of

;

'

woman who has had

that

or

of

a

as or

'

in

is

?

on

But though they

of

be

of

,

quaintly physician tion the part the ancient though expressed observation the results that

is

as

as

is it .

of

',

a

'

of

or

',

high tube that other tumour whosepoint uplifted like any woman's breast complete diagnostician paint modern could Whilst most the growths dealt with hereunder are

beware

to of

Cautery the is to

he

, all

in

a

to

he

-

In

in

of

so

the

directed use being Knife admonished doing one case

some

others the

is

In

him

by

in

fall

.

to

.

is

,

to

handed over the physician for treatment the surgeon ignored absolutely dozen cases About not

in

In to

of

a

is

.

.

vessels directed first use the Knife and then check the Hæmorrhage only one condition the Cautery means Papyrus policy masterly inactivity the whole 133

THE PAPYRUS

134

EBERS

this is in the case of a tumour of the god Xensu . ' Do thou nothing there against ! ' is the warning the gives after describing this Scribe ‘ loath it . some disease ,' as he labels advocated :

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST

A PERSON

WHO SUFFERS

IN HIS ABDOMEN and thou all

It

“

:

-of

Fruit

Oil and Honey

,

. ,

A

IN

food his body

,

has taken

is

is

,up

feels discomfort after

he

AN

is

body his

is

thou findest that

to

.

him

If

:

in

it

an

;

his heart weak when walks suffering person inflammation from who like his Anuslet him lie outstretched and examine a

swells

grain

EXAMINEST PERSON WHO SUFFERS he OBSTRUCTION HIS ABDOMEN and

THOU

he

FROM

and pressed maqut

.

Afterwards

WHEN

mornings the Patient for four him smeared with dried

-

eaten

be

cook

crushed

Semen

let

in

Man's by in

be

,

Crush

-

the Dompalm

Dissolve

To

fingers like from

:

!

'

a -

,

in

oil -

thy findest that it goes -and - comes under say comes then thou tube mouth like slime Prepare for him

his

FROM AN OBSTRUCTION

hot and his

:

.'

-

paxestet plant dates

-

of

-

Refuse

a

is

“

:

,

abdomen hard then say thou him This complaint Liver Make for him the Secret Remedy that the Physician hasprescribed

DIAGNOSIS let

135

dissolve in Water , and the Patient mornings drink for four that thou wilt empty his body ,

,

the ,

,

.

of

:

“

process This illness consuming itself SEE HIM AGAIN thou

pass

side cool healing

is in

of

his

,

findestafter this has come body hot and the Left

If

is

It

then

say

When thou Right side

to

.

so

Mix

his

.

.'

thou body has cooled down then thou itself sayest His Liver has healed and cleansed He has absorbed the medicine

Nile

stomach

in

not

swollen

to

his

condition

leap the

,

to

HIS ABDOMEN and thou findest that he

is is

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST THE OBSTRUCTION

a

IN

.

'

‘

:

.

findest that

It

'

of

:

.

a

.'

an

by

is

,

:

asthmatic then say thou him got the Blood that has itself fixed and does not emptying circulate Do thou cause means medicinal remedy Make him therefor and his chest

Wormwood

100

Elderberries sebesten

front

poultice

thou dost not prepare him

, -

is

mouth

when

it -

his

.

drink

in

Either make him

Hog's Blood a

resembles

through blood

one

cool him remedy but this

,

, or

cooked

.

or

rectum which

-

strain into Patient the

This remedy drives out

from

to

,

and

let

-

,

many ingredients thoroughly

-

-

-

Beer that has been brewed -

Cook

in

-

sasa chips

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS

for

136

him the following Ointment composed

really excellent

:

of

makest

Ox fat Saffron seeds Coriander

Myrrh tree

WHO

-

is

it

,

is

by

.

a

consuming him and the fire quenches that the fire and empties his is

and body

the Depths Make him remedy

sexen illness

the

his

then

burning and stomach

heart and

pale

in

swollen

,

findest

his

;

,

,

HARDENING stomach hurts him face thumps when thou examinest him heart his

HAS

A

.

PERSON

his

EXAMINEST

his

WHEN THOU

poultice

A

Crush and apply

a

as

-

aager

dry

-

If

-

'

:

.

,

lumps then say little black him The body has fallen from the stomach The asi disease

in fire

to

at

If six

.

.

.

-

in -

-

-

-

be

to

-

bowels Dough Sweet Beer that has stood This eaten and drunk for Four days Look following what falls days every morning for from his rectum excrement fall out of him like

drinking

drops shoot forth

of -

of

to

.

the body has diminished thou examinest him pass and something after this has steps come forth from his rectum like the white of beans and

SO

in

"

.

.

'

:

,

tepaut him like nesu sayest has his abdomen What was then thou fallen down MAKE FOR HIM THIS REMEDY THAT the Stand the cauldron over HIS FACE MAY COOL out

DIAGNOSIS

THE

:

Zizyphus

Lotus

I

-

the

Bread -of Watermelon

HARDENING IN

THE

AWAY

DRIVE

ABDOMEN

I I

I

dung Cat's Sweet Beer

PERSON WITH

IN

A

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST

poultice

.

Make into one and apply

as a

I

Wine

A

To

mixture in it and cook it in the usual

a

-

fire, make way .

137

if

,

in

he

in

of

,

is

,

,

,

HARDENING HIS ABDOMENhis stomach hurts every meal his him discomfort seizes him after abdomen swollen suffers both his the feet

,

Physician the

:

of

weak

excre had hopped the remedy

is

).

(

uncertain Make for only for from the Secret Book that with the exception thine own daughter

as a

;

him

...

it

if

as

into him

.

in

a

is

It ,

:

'

-a -

and his head stoppage

'

...

to -

-

-

woman who has had child say then thou him ment Water penetrates

of is

as

,

soles his feet but not his ankles thou examinest him and find his abdomen weak

M

that

may

be

days

it .

Strain and let him take he

four

Take -

Refuse of it

in

with

.

Dates cured

to

Water without evaporating off the Fire order mix so it .

it

Cool

in

Green undried Wheat

for

immediately

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST IN HIS LEFT SIDE

him

to

sasa chips

let

,

,

,

A

.

ILL

him

in

not

the eat .

first

lies let

do

The fault

is his a

on

lay

-

-

:

radical purge

thy

under him

:

food

,

-

it

say thou

.

his

comes and goes

for At '

Prepare

a

of

,

fingers they digestion

days Four

PERSON WHO

all

,

to -

If

thou

swollen and that

Honey

his limbs are heavy like thy hand down findest that his abdomen lie

,

who goes

and

the Patient eat for

EXAMINEST

THOU

ABDOMEN .

IN

person abdomen

and

Oil one

a

-

00

Cook into one with

HIS

the

ok

Elderberries

WHEN

dug

has

1

the Dompalm

little

he

:

of , - is -

He

seeds crushed

-

am

that

, he has feet

, then say thou : ' cannot -walk -with sand- bags and lifted sand . 'Prepare remedy that before mentioned

Fruit

WITH

PERSON

IS

HARDNESS

A

for

138

-

bread .

and eat his to

him

If

.

Flat Beer go

Afterwards

in

Dissolve

let

-

Refuse of Beer

thou

pass and

in

of

,

his

.

bowels has cleared against everything hot

'

.up

“

:

of

examinest him after this has come thou findest the small back warm and his body cool then say thou The fault the emptying the

Let

guard his him

mouth

DIAGNOSIS WHEN

THOU

EXAMINEST

139 ANY

PERSON

WHO

IS

and thou findest after leapt has the Nile that he is both sideshis body his takes nourishment when swollen stomach feels uncomfortable its entrance then Fight thou against the bexetu illness with ,

he

,

had poultice

If

a

afterhas

-

water

of

soothing remedies

Wheat

it

he

.

-

is

it

at

,

is

he

in

ill

SUFFERING IN

HIS ABDOMEN ,

.

1

.

is

an

it

.

-

thy moves hereafter under fingers then give him mornings enema for four painful Against this Their injection use

-

uah grain

drops

001

-

Fresh

in

-

lead earth

Cook

Honey and and days

Oil

afterwards moves under thy fingers like grains his limbs burn with the itch all

it

the patient

.

take for four

of If

let

Gum

,

sand and

Fermenting Bread Some Horn

)

A

arm

,

in

his

in

(

. .

is

It

sayest thou

:

,

it '

;

( -

a

Make him

the following plants

ill

,

illness then

penetrated has

:

.'

its

abode

...

region stomach and literally uat illness the green

),

and fresh

Death that

up

is

,

blooming

is

it

,

breasts and the told him thatthe

uncertain

PERSON WITH

ABDOMEN

HIS

-

his

SUFFERING

in

IN

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST

in

hopped

he A is

him

it

goes into

if

as

Duck's Food

his mouth and taken stinging remedy from

THE PAPYRUS

140

EBERS I

tehua - berry Poppy - plant

I

Peppermint

I

annek -plant Red - sexet - seeds

I

I

Cook in Oil and let the Patient drink .

WITH EASE , FREE FROM

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST

A PERSON WHO IS SUFFER

thou

often and

ventral

his

excrement .

is

fault

intestines

waste

matter

it :

his a

:

pass not Make him

does

It .up

projection a on

thou through for “

;

say

Then

intes

the real

eyes are tired and his nose stopped

It

his

ING IN HIS findest something like

SAY

I will not repeat the

it breaks

ABDOMEN ,

both

.

THEN

.

EX

IS

.'

*

ARM

PAIN

This suffering has passed

tinal passage to the rectum . medicine

side

His

as

TENDED THOU :

ON HIM .

his

THY HAND

THOU

in

LAY

HIS

-

-

open his

,

nose

excrement

PERSON

.

,

A

many ingre

his limbs are ABDOMEN ,

SUFFERING

IN

WHEN THOU EXAMINEST

from

to

-

to

in

brewed

of

to

-

open his eyes make easy the passing order

-

dients and

-

-

of

Beer that has been

-

with

-

.

Ox

small vessel with

his

an -

broken pieces from

along with Garlic Flesh the same with Beer and Fat Let the Patient eat and drink this

a

Thereto add

particularly large quantities

-

-

Wormwood

in

-

Wheaten bread

WHO IS

tender

DIAGNOSIS

141

:

him

Make

.

'

in

,

findest

it :

is

Elefantine

,

from

-

Hæmatite Linseed

-

as a

'

him

a

ballthen say thou like little something dangerous thee remedy against

( uncertain ) There

to

...

and quite flaccid ; thou examinest him and genitals except in no wound on his body the

crushed

to

This

is

A

thousayest

I

,

trouble

ill .

then

spread has

in

disease

the

“

IN

like

grinder's

something findest the knife

HIS ABDOMEN and

backbone

IS

PERSON WHO

:

in

SUFFERING

his

EXAMINEST

THOU

his

WHEN

.

quench thirst matter from his stomach

in

four mornings order and drive away the dangerous

this

to

to

his

Let the Patient

for

.

Oil and Honey eat

Cook

in

Onions

the

-y

:

a

for

if

as

.

It

.

-r

in .

it

is

uxedu that back He will goes into make him the Back emedy him pot east and had hopped Make him then make him the following remedy

I

Spring Plant

I I

of -

THOU

TIME TO TIME

I in of -

EXAMINEST

heal

,

him once

.

order

-

Sweet Beer and smear to

Yeast

four days

A

WHEN

for

on

,

Crush cook

in

Mason's Clay

at

-

Peppermint Resin Acanthus

PERSON WHO FROM

HAS PAINS LIKE THOSE

WHO HAVE

THE PAPYRUS

142

EBERS if

THINGS , his heart is feeble as

...

old

EATEN UNCLEAN

the

)

of

an

is

It

a

it

.

is

,

,

it .

findest

PART

OF

THEREMATTER

high uplifted

like

in ,

remedy

Garlic uice

-j

Palm

-g

Xehui

rains

Caraway

-

Sea salt

Yeast

- of -

Bean meal

-

Honey aber oil

-

the sames plant

-

Berry

.'

:

.

it

Prepare against

I

a

the following healing

“

:

in

breast and the matter moves therein growth his neck has He then say thou which the matter moves will treat the illness ,

woman's

CONJUNCTION ANY

-

its

A

and thou

point

NECK

a

ARISEN

WITH IRRITATION OF THE ATUT THE BODY OFPERSON WHEREIN

THE

,

GROWTH

IS

WHICH HAS

PERSON

IN

MEETEST

A

THOU

IN IN

OF

A

WHEN

matter and remedy wound Make him the The prescription however was

!)

overlooked

(

.

for opening

putrid

in

formed There discharge from the has

.

n

.

'

: “

...

(

frailty of age has overcome him uncertain then say thou accumulation morbid wilfully juices danger He shall not minimize the abscess An trusti feeble remedies nor put his

DIAGNOSIS for

143

.

IN

NECK

ATUT

it

;

it

thereon soft there something there like corn then thou irritation with He has growth ,

atut his

an

fat

of

a

“

THE ILLNESS '

.

.

neck WILL TREAT

I

the

remedy against the which will disappearance soothing means

cause

:

by

it

Make thou its

THE THE as

FRONT and thou

in

of

:

sayest

four

findest though thy fingers under

is

and

OF

it

cover

GROWTH WITH AN IRRITATION MEETEST

,

were

a

WHICH

IS

IN

PERSON

A

OF

THOU

therewith may become well

is

WHEN

that

A

days

he

so

Mix into one and poultice

Saltpetre

-

teun plant

Wasp's Blood Ox Bile -

Sea salt

.

there

ATUT dirt

of in

WHICH HAS LASTED FOR MANY DAYS fatty swellingand forms

THE is

GROWTH ,

MEETEST

A

THOU

four days

OF

and poultice therewith

Crush

WHEN

for

-

Bean meal

:

it

.

.

of

is

I

a

'

drives away

the remedy

means

of

that

by

heals

following

diseasePrepare against

it

it,

that

the

.'

will fight

it

in it

an

:

of

a

,

it it , is it

greater part the hot then say thou He has growth the atut that has caused accumulation matter Dirt hasformed and hot underneath the

THE PAPYRUS

144

EBERS

Dried Blood Caraway

Oil Onions Resin

- of-

Fruit

- and -

Acanthus

Nut -of -Acanthus

Seezunge - grains Copper Coal

Make into

Pill .

a

WHEN THOU MEETEST A FATTY GROWTH IN NECK AND FINDEST IT LIKE AN ABSCESS

THE OF

THE

FLESH THAT IS SOFT UNDER THY FINGER

(gap in ' He has a fatty growth the text ) . then say thou : in his neck . I will treat the disease with the Knife , taking care of the Blood - vessels the while . Prepare poultice against it a frees the pustules :

as

healing remedy which

a

the

teun - plant Xehui -plant

-

-

-

-

-

-

Berry -ofsames plant Blood of the nehur bird

Wasp's Blood chips

-

sasa

-

-

amamu plant Lead vitriol

one and poultice therewith

.

make into

,

Crush

,

-

Sea salt

DIAGNOSIS WHEN

145

MATTERY - TUMOUR IN

THOU MEETEST A

THE NECK OF A GROWN - Up Man , it forms an eleva tion , brings forth fleshy masses of matter and lasts like years or months ; matter comes forth therefrom

or the Great Scorpion , then say thou : ' He has a mattery - tumour . I will fight the disease . ' Prepare against it the remedy to draw the pustules out of neck fluid from

Stickleback -

fish

:

his

a

Wax Cow's

fat

-

-

Xet plant Writing fluid

Copper

-s

-

teun plant Caraway havings

Verdigris Fresh

-

lead earth

-

Sea salt fat

-

Goose

-

Incense berries

Collyrium .

therewith

FLESH

;

is

he

,

; A

Person and BODY THE clammy hide his flesh

thou it

OF

TUMOUR OF THE

in

PART

like

MEETEST OF

ANY

findest

it

IN

WHEN THOU

A

Cook and poultice the neck

of

a

is

It

‘

:

is it ,

-

goes and comes under thy finger except when the finger kept still because escapes the matter sayest through the Tumour then thou

THE PAPYRUS

146

EBERS

I

will treat the disease . I will try to with Fire like the Cautery heals .' Flesh .

WHEN

THAT A TUMOUR

MEETEST

THOU

heal it

HAS

, it has formed a tumour in his A VESSEL body when thy finger examines hard it , and it is , fingers say thou like a hard stone under thy then : • It is a Tumour of the Vessels . I will treat the disease with the Knife .' Poultice it with Fat . Treat

ATTACKED

it

as one would treat

part

WHEN OF

a

of the body of

suppurating

wound in any

a person .

THOU MEETEST A FAT TUMOUR IN ANY

PART

that it

andthou findest

THE BODY OF A PERSON

fingerswhile

thy

it also say thou thy hand stands still , trembles when then It is a Fat Tumour . I will treat the disease .' comes -and -goes under

Treat it with the Knife

When IN

MEETEST A TUMOUR OF THE

THOU

HEAD THE

anopen wound .

as one heals

.

( uncertain ) O .

...

UxEDU

and thou findest

...

...

in

the

that fluid , that itgrows under thy fingers when they are kept still , and that it is soft , then say thou : It is 'a tumour even if it is not large the

itproduces

a

is

.

There thereto Let nothing .

fastened

Cake water -

thing flows thereout like shaggy covering

I

.

-

.

it

(

).

of uxedu Head uncertain will treat the disease Treat with the Knife but con trive that thou avoidest the blood vessels Some

:

DIAGNOSIS let

.

of

up

.

.)

and

HAS THAT

GROWTH

OF

(

CONJUNCTION WITH THE IRRITATION

in

,

it is

,

it

it

Make the pustules out the and drives the

'

.

hasa

pus

.

,

of

He

developed has thou against

him

‘

;

inside

:

will treat the disease remedy which frees matter

skin not large the with pus to

ill in

is

when theperson his body then say thou growth the uxedu which true

beans dis

like

I

A

The

...

let

... uncertain

THE UxEDU and thou findest charging abscesses arisehis

of

swell

them

:

IN

ARISEN

MEETEST

,

a

person gets pustules that drive them away afterwards

WHEN THOU

about part

in

,

body

a

of

an

Heal

it

remain as

, nothing run behind any one heals open wound person and heal the vessels

thereof

-

-

teun plant Xehui berries

Wasp's Blood salt

-

Sea

Watermelon

-

hemit grains plant amaa

Bullock's

fat

-

-

Powdered Bean meal

.

Cook and poultice therewith may become well

order

that

he

Wax in

the

147

THE PAPYRUS

148

EBERS

WHEN THOU MEETEST A TUMOUR THE BODY findest it round in form , and spread out against the IN ANY PART

OF

OF THE VESSELS

Person and thou

OF A

growing finger, under thy ; it is not big and flesh

protrude ; then say thou : “ It is a tumour does not of the met . I will treat the disease . The metu causes it and it then becomes a pricking of the met .' Treat it with the Knife and burn it with Fire so that it not too

bleeds

Heal it like the

much .

Cautery

heals .

WHEN THOU

METU

MEETEST A TUMOUR OF THE

, it grows and ON THE INNER SIDE OF ANY LIMB thou seest that it winds itself like snakes while it forms

. Do not knock

be

of

to

us

to

in its

for

four

and

im

.

)

is

metu

Here follows

OF

LARGE TUMOUR OF

A

MEETEST

OF

THOU

THE ,

A

XENSU ANY PART THE LIMB PERSON loathsome and suffers many pustules come to

is

it

care the

repeated which incomprehensible

translation

IN

WHEN

is a

of

.

possible

It

mornings

of

Magic Formula

GOD

limbthrough

.

again because this pricks the Prepare and take every part the limb person knocking

it with a knock

a

metu

of

tumour of the

(

are

prominences and these are like things that by the wind , say thou : “ It is moved then a

.

many

DIAGNOSIS

149

something therein as though wind arises causing irritation . The Tumour calls were in it , with a loud voice to thee : “ Is it not like the most forth ;

.'

-

,

THE BODY ABOVE HIS GENITALS and examine his body palpating

Skin

by

a

“

vomits

the disease

his

I

of

to

n.

:

,

then say thou time body his will treat

he

,

and

bowels move

It

his

.

fingers in

at

Tumour

THE

SKIN TUMOUR ON

is

OF

lay thy finger the same

It is a Tumour of

on it

OUTSIDE PART

A

MEETEST

THOU

with thy

'

thou nothing there against

If

WHEN

say thou :

Then

Do

.

are affected . god Xensu

the

loathsome of pustules ? ' It mottles the skin and makes figures . All the limbs are like those which

so

is

as

may

t

Heali

it

so

that

it

'

...

PUSTULAR TUMOUR on

A

MEETEST

THOU OF

WHEN

(

...

Cautery heals

).

then make thou for him warm body uncertain

the

.

pierce

his

,

fallen

.

to

to

body which the bladdero the front When the earth fall causes the tumour heat

IN

it

:

,

-

'

!

.

.

it

is

.

it

-

.

-

it .

A

against Pustules Use the Knife through the Work with with the Knife Bore hennu animal Work what on the inner side Cut with the Knife with the hennu animal

'

gathering

of

is

is -

it A

if

palpating THE LIMB Person and thou goes and comes and that findest that the flesh that thereunder drawn over then say thou

150

THE PAPYRUS

EBERS

something There is Largeness therein . There is therein like the menter of the mouse . Cut it loose. Lead forth these aderu that are on his side .

Cover

the body with cuts . Work it with one hennu of Onions ... ( uncertain . ...)

-vessel

XXII

CHAPTER

THE HAIR man has yet to be born who

will not

be thrilled

for

The

-Da

-

Toes

a

of

!

of -

a

at

in

for

very first remedy Baldness the on learning that history prepared recorded was woman and Composed for Queen that

og

-

an -

was compounded REMEDY FOR HAIR

it

nearlyfive

years thousand

GROWTH

as , a

Ass ago

OF

-

PREPARED FOR

SES

UPPER AND an

on

.

,

,

MOTHER His MAJESTY THE KING Lower EGYPT TETA DECEASED

OF

-

Hoof

of -

-

Refuse of Dates

is

to

151

A

in

simply copying was no

he

,

,

is

It

.

of to

,

of

.

fill

on

the Papyrus the Scribe from other sources for has

section

of

at

the extraordinary concoctions recom special chapter mended this check the effects age Further hair the reader with disgust the consideration the chapter however tones down that very evident that feeling this extent some in

first glance

.

of

as

as

It

.

throughout The chapter the hair illuminat ing one fifty reveals the fact that centuries ago the justfeverishly human race waswrestling now problems grey with the twin hair and baldness

observed

order

THE PAPYRUS

152

EBERS

for

simply dashed down the whatever in the entriesbut they remedies as came to him . If they be re -arranged

to

of

oil

at

in

these pioneer cosmetic much one cansay this physicians that place they were least the first simply recommending content with without any

.

previous

remedies pre chapterhave been short butpithy dissertation we

desperate

by

in

Already

to

they resorted

a

,

,

or

;

it

growth admixture stimulate the the hair and only age was after disease had wonthrough and grey locks and patches showed themselves bald that

simple remedy was one which seems another germ contain the first the hair brush idea

of -

GROW

-

-

the hunta animal

in

-

TO CAUSE THE HAIR TO

Hair

:

-

in it

of

Still

ANOTHER

to

consists

head

.

-

n

Oil and rubbed on the

to

familiar ring about

a

hair restorer that has of Linseed crushedi

Another hair

the

.

increasing the growth

it

women

of

for

-

,

of

on

a

the Scribe with the virtues and uses Castor Oil and we have given drug especially recommended seen that God sented

Warm Oil and rub the Head therewith four days simple remedies having failed

of

-

example the Tooth

of .

is

of

for

-

as

aremerely quaint

,

Some

r

an

in

is

, ,

of

years

to

of

tide

as

stem the reflected the colouro the scarcity array the hair the plunge taken and remedies very suggested which almost the mention sufficient activate the hair cells out of sheer terror

,

However

to

.

for

THE HAIR

153

; or Ass mixed in Honey and rubbed on the scalp highly inconvenient such as a lotion of Writing - fluid falling hair mighty be and Brain -water , wildering witness

WHICH IS BECOMING

Fat of

-

-

-

-

-

-

the Cat

- of - of -

-

of

-

-

the Hippopotamus

Fat

-

Fat

-

the Serpent the Egyptian Goat

-

Fat

HEAD

BALD

the Crocodile

Fat Fat

ON

Lion

the

of - of -

-

OF THE HAIR

A

FOR THE GROWTH

ANOTHER

or

;

:

,

as

for

an -

Make into one and rub the

head of the Bald One

.

therewith

of

,

and Gazelle's

vile

concoction

of

a

which

and another

a

Hippopotamus is

Fat

-

-

,

fluid

;

dung

the

Writing

of -

,

and

as

frankly preservatives and restoratives other are revoltingsuch positively concoction

But

)

are

,

of

a

of

-

-

a

of -

bird cooked

Ancient Egyptians

were

,

is

composed

-

gabgu

-

shell and the Neck

third the

a

while

of -

;

another

;

in

.

-

at

at

preserving the hair and aim once Blood Black Calf hairsThe figures one such the same

-

Tortoise

Oil

Whether

these

in

.

in

Oil

Cow

Black

,

cooked

in

in

remedies which removing grey

N

so

.

be

(

,

,

—

plus some Phallus and the Black Lizard ingredients perhaps fortunately other which cannot deciphered Not quite revolting the several

Vulva

any way

THE PAPYRUS

154

EBERS

action of Thyroid the Gland on the hair , or whether indeed the gabgu -bird thatthey possessed a Thyroid at fact remains imagined they specific must have had found some for the neck this unknown bird for hair growth ,

-

-

-

‘

Neck

but backed

of

'

the

Blood from

on

-p

,

”

‘

-

gabgu

bird

-

the

Put HE

STRETCHES UP HIS HAND TO THE BACK OF

therewith

.

Real Balsam and rub

ON

HEAD

of

daily paperaccount the gland graft but actually

reads like

of

it

Almost

HIS

!

A

,

LIVING FALCON PLACING HIM SWALLOW LIVING AGAINST

A

Neck

GREY HAIRS

in

-

from

PREVENT

of -

Blood

TO

-

REMEDY

-

ANOTHER

so

be

advertised

:

earth

the

to

appears

find

not only recommended

icture which the fortunate user nothing less than the first attempt describe that Kruschenfeeling much word

to

a

by -

-

the gabgu bird

;

of

wu

in

-

up of -

another prescription

in

the

of the selective

all ,

cognisant

the

ll

but

had

.

-

-

a

,

Fawn warmed ye leaves much

it

-d

a

As

fora that

it

,

desired

.

,

be

to in

-

Rubbing the head with the Horn Oil was recommended hair

its

or

of

sermons

of - of

dyeing grey hairs provide powerful vanity the old middle old age

remedies on

The

for

Swallow

.

to

is

it

,

-

-

a

after results under merely convey that stood that the Scribe wishes the medicament overcomes the disease like the Falcon the

points and was

THE HAIR

155

remaining remedies the

infinitely

to

preferred to be

For the ‘

Bile

-of- Many - Crabs

'

.

conjures up a messy

smelly mass , and a one too ; and ‘ Dried - Tadpoles , from -the - Canalcrushed in Oil ' does not sound much

,

,

Grey

so

!

-d

:

n

-

-

,

in

-

to

-

-

-

;

if ,

obstinate were not they did yield the head not Crocodile earth mixed with Honey -

of

the grey hairs application

scalp

said hurriedly

of

be

it

let

,

-

an as

an

-

a

,

-

a

of -

-

Oil and Gum and rubbed well into the eye brows

the

Ass roasted otherHoof Black Tapeworm and the uauit ung found the whole cookedi the

Bitch

which

into

rubbed

and

, of

gabgu bird

is -

worm

head

-

Vulva

;

cropped

,

Egg -of-

the

-

the

better . Both of course were applied to the outside of the headThey . are mild , however ,compared to two , Oil with in others : one the Womb -of- a - Cat warmed

,

-

-

in

up

,

it

be

It

attacked could

be

.

could Porcupine

or

it ;

lay in

.

-

-

against Red lead Bitter Beer Both were external

of -

Froth

is

of

be

the

Oil and used -

in

Quills

-

.

in

warmed beaten up

the Papyrus

of -

ways

three

in

)

treated elsewhere

in

the

(

male and

old

the unsightly bald patches which people heads and young may female noted here although

that

appear suddenly

on is

Alopecia

.

-

be

to

.

n

-

-

-

-

which has been dissolved Onion water one could Opium try still Ass's Liver warmedi Oil with This balls with made into little latter remedy was which one rubbed the grey eye brows

of

-

-up

-

as

.

with Wasp's dung

-

in -

-

mixed

as - to Oil it - a -

A

-

-

plant Flax

-

was

.

in -

-

in

.

,

shaving third method remedies one presumes applying Figure the head and Broken warmed Oil- which has been mixed with Writing any fluid Water Or just suitable these

Still

THE PAPYRUS

156

another method was it invoked the Sun's TO CHARM

AWAY

if

EBERS

anything more interesting since rays : ALOPECIA

O Shining One , Thou who O Xare ! O Disc of the O Protector of

the

above !

hoverest

Sun

!

Divine Neb -apt

!

To be spoken over Iron Red - lead Onions Alabaster

Honey

remedy after

although

for

we

is

,

of

;

cia

we

)

of

.

turies still persists

( in

these cen For still the Sun's rays the Alope shape Artificial Sunlight that invoke and still retain the Iron Tonic the Ancients relate this

it

Wonderful to

all

Make into one and give against.

havelong

,

on

.

in of

as

are

,

,

,

-

lead discarded the Red benefit doubtful Onions Alabaster and Honey interesting chapter Not the least entries this

we

a

to

it

of

-

the

-

on

of -a -

-

in

a

of

in

,

to

.

,

the hair the three prescriptions which bring close One remove superfluous hairs recommends rubbing the frequent mixture compounded Tortoise shell crushed and heated Fat from the

sharply

the unchangeableness

of

more

of

.

us

if

,

of

on

,

:

of

on

Hippopotamus probably theory superfluous that hairs are seldom ever found the shell the Tortoise nor the hoofthe Hippopo prescriptions remind tamus The other two even

Hoof

human

157

the water that has flowed

between

of

nature despite

all

THE HAIR

in

,

BE

TO

directed

'

curtly

OF

mass

is

to

.

they were written banks the Nile since down They are also oily remove hair but each case the the

POURED OVER THE HEAD

.

of

a

at

It

a

-

it

.

'

THE HATED WOMAN would appear from this the into  past that peep was only later stage our pulling civilization that hair became female accom plishment

CHAPTER

XXIII

COSMETICS Next to losing her hair the greatest terror of a woman's life is the wrinkle ( or rather , wrinkles , since they never appearance come singly ) and it would seem that their years just ago was resented thousands of as fiercely in this twentieth century . Let us see how the Ancients dealt with them :

TO DRIVE AWAY WRINKLES

as

FROM THE FEATURES

Incense - cake

Wax Fresh Olive

Oil

Cyperus Crush , grind , put in Fresh the face for six days. SEE TO

We need

Milk ,

IT ! have no doubt but that the ladies

' saw to it ! ' But wrinkles are that mar a woman's peace of mind blotchy complexion is just as great

of the

not the only things

the methods used

spotty or a a disturber of that school irl complexion the Ancient Egyptiennes ; a

-g

by

some

of

, and in the search

for

day

sleep

and apply to

158

removed from those employed

Well water

at

preserve their complexions :

brand

REMEDY qebu plant

-

from

-

Water

-the

ANOTHER

anoint

of

to

in

order of the bovine

-

least

her

some the moderns who pin their

there are

Milk

is

faith

it to

But

if

her face with

let

,

she has washed her face daily

it .

After

SMOOTH -

-

Cake meal

in

THE FACE

TO MAKE

her

:

were not so modern sister

159

by

far

COSMETICS

-

-

Meal of Alabaster a

Human

.

,

Milk

,

into pap mix and anoint the face therewith

in

Honey make

,

Mix

in

-

Fresh abt grain

remedy was surely reserved for those next whom the second and third well the first youth had departed ANOTHER

REMEDY

-

Whipped

up

Bullock's Bile

Oil

Ostrich Egg

Dough Refined Natron -

Hautet resin

as

as

:

of

,

The

from bloom

THE PAPYRUS

160

Mix ,

EBERS

make into a pap , mix

in Fresh Milk , and

wash the face therewith daily .

To remove a mole nothing was left to chance and internal and external medications were made use of : A

-

t'as plant

Honey Leaf of

the mamer corn

Crush

-

-

-

Phallus

-has

it

;

of

,

Instead

abode there ,

one's

.

necessary was

to

up -

.

on

the sea side could brought -

Sea salt

the skin

alter the colour

be

some

to

eventrip a

not

to

it

:

-

the

therewith plaster one night may remain limbs and his his arms

simple matter

a

It

was

-

Water with which

been Washed

that

Mole

-

-

-

-

,

and

.

the person take who has the

Pound

in

let

-

Berries -ofmamer grain

MOLE

-

AGAINST

the

REMEDY

.

to

of

by

,

rubbed with Honey and Red Natron and the anointing body colour the skin altered the with the sticky mixture Another sticky mass was said

:

beautify the body

TO BEAUTIFY

of -

REMEDY

THE

salt

-

Sea

Honey

-

-

-

Meal Alabaster Meal of Natron

SKIN

COSMETICS

161

Mix into one in this Honey and anoint

body the

therewith . them that does with a thoroughness preparations supple credit — we find the cosmetic by  remedy Sweaty mented a for Feet : Finally

—

REMEDY TO DRIVE AWAY SWEATY FEET IN A PERSON uadu - plant -of-the -Fields Eel - from- the - Canal

Warm in Oil and

smear

both feet therewith

.

XXIV

CHAPTER

DOMESTIC HINTS

in

A

,

,

take

four days

.

one strain and

ACTS AT ONCE

:

-

the

Opium Wall

for

-

CHILD

!

IT

plant

is on -

-

-

of - -

Poppy Pods Fly dirt which

OF

)

the

REMEDY TO STOP THE CRYING

Make into

it

,

as

To begin with the cradle

fleas and lice

(

addition

.

to

as

for

headed STRICTLY speaking this chapter should be comprehends Domestic and Farmyard Hints , scorpions the barn well the cradle rats and

!

is

startling No other word can convey the amazement with which one finds that the means

This

CHILD

)

Style the - -

-

-

is -

on

-

-

Powder which contains Opium Fly dirt which Dummy -

(

New

OF

A

REMEDY TO STOP THE CRYING

:

us

.

-

to

a

s

to

quell the squalling infant five thousand many agoare identically the years modern samea day Let mother employs compare them employed

162

DOMESTIC HINTS Mix in the Child's mouth ONCE ! IT ACTS AT Only slightly less

.

recipe from another

startling is

ar

out

163

MICE AWAY FROM

Fat

Smear

CLOTHES

everything

.

possible it to is

Cat's

on

TO KEEP

:

-

thatf distant past

the remaining custom swathing the garments perhaps

,

in

for example

,

certain cases

:

in

-

whole responsible for this the following

as ,

.

this chapter Our body close fitting

is ,

ancient and modern customs in

recipes

in

between

of in

is

to

.

to

we

cat

It

,

,

,

Nowadays our expansive wardrobes not mention the still other prejudices prohibit this method but employ keep the mice away which rather more difficult trace any resemblance

OF THE REMEDIES

BEGINNING AND

TO

DRIVE

AWAY

FLEAS

MICE -

Date meal

.

on

order drive away the Fleas and Lice desport themselves limbs his

out

in

-

him spit

it

Afterwards

to

.

drink warm

vessels and hennu

two let

one portion

in

Cook

to

Water

that

THE PAPYRUS

164

EBERS

that a people who took such activesteps to prevent objectionable vermin like fleas and lice from “ desporting themselves on their limbs ' should exhibit a laudable desire to sweeten

It

is only natural to expect

persons . As will be their homes and their seen they went further and bestowed attention on their breath : SUBSTANCES TO USE IN ORDER TO MAKE PLEASANT THE SMELL OF THE HOUSE OR OF THE

CLOTHES

Dried Myrrh Elderberries Incense Cyperus -of - Aloes

Resin

sebet - resin

Calmus

- from

- the - land - t'ahi - in -Asia

inekuun -grain mastich styrax Crush , grind, make

into one , andput on the fire .

ANOTHER FOR THE WOMAN TO MAKE THEREOUT

These ingredients , according to the other in into structions , put in Honey ,cook , mix , form They fumigate little balls . shall with them It is also worth while to make Mouth - pills out

of them to make the smell of able

the mouth

agree

.

Having dispersed the

fleas and

lice from their

.

DOMESTIC HINTS

165

, their clothes , their their homes ,feet and moles removed wrinkles

limbs , sweetened breath , and their

from their faces and restored the softness of youth to , it can be understood thatthey were their cheeks not going to allow vermin to overrun their homes . Con sequently we find several end : TO DRIVE

remedies directed to that

VERMIN OUT OF THE HOUSE

Do thou sprinkle it with Natron - Water means they are

. By that

dispersed.

ANOTHER

bebet -plant sprinkle the house Crush in Oil and carefully they therewith . Thereby are dispersed .

simply take the

to

to

of - do

-

the bird coracias Fat To prevent the

-

we

stinging

:

are

inter The Farmyard in Egypt must have been an esting place. We prevent Wasps told what

we

,

in

.

—

on

they

we had whereupon

on

out look

the

In

his

be

to

had

out

hole this

.

Serpent creeping

of

was

a

The next thing that

we

.

it

—

it

a

burn

Oil

fire The

the

Lizard

those days

it ,

,

met

a

to

of

.

however must have been more ferocious get hold Scorpion and died was the Lizard that

in we

If

a

Lizard and put

If ,

immediately seized Scorpion died

a

.

,

,

it .

garrula and smear ourselves with Tarantula stinging however inunction with Olive Scorpion got our way was sufficient

for emer

THE PAPYRUS

166

EBERS

of

to

to

fit

are

gency we had the choice of three remedies — although hardly , these remedies ’ is the word to use . However interesting from the comments the Scribe remedies .

,

IT

us

of

',

to

set

be

It )

“

to

.

he

.

-

(

add each them The first one directs against the that ant fish dried entrance the Serpent's lair will NOT CREEP OUT added the gives Scribe Next the choice Natron which sees

is is ',

he

-

con

NOT CREEP OUT

.

DOES

'

,

hole and this time the Scribe

IT

“

:

inserted into the fidently adds But squalling

a

:

is

.

to

he

.

“

put into the hole WILL NOT CREEP OUT again adds this But with the third remedy emphatic still this which Garlic ball even more

we are

TO

THE

PREVENT

on

on

we

:

-

.

in

is

of

;

in

us

,

,

,

,

children fleas lice wasps and annoyances only serpents were not which link the with these Ancientswe also find them the throes prototype another scourge that his modern still engaged fighting carry Albeit the fight better and cleaner lines RODENTS

EATING

IN

DURRA

THE

GRANARY

dung

on

Gazelle's

-

the

.

n

firei the Granary Cover the wall and the floor with Mice excrement and with

Put

urine That will prevent the durra being

it

us .

of

It

prevent being eaten

-

:

to

One last extract from this most human remains be made

by

would certainly many

a

.

eaten

.

their

good

of documents

DOMESTIC HINTS TO PREVENT

THE PIGEON

HAWK

STEALING

Let a Rod of Acanthus The Person says : ‘

'

O Horus

,

167

be set up .

the Hawk steals in City and

He thirsts after the Garden . Fly hither, cook , and eat him

.'

spoken over the Acanthus thereon. a Sugar -cake

Let this be

HE

IT

IS

WHO

STEALING

PREVENTS

Garden .

THE

-

rod . Put

HAWK

PIGEON

.

in

nothing

have fifty gone come and .

of

.

roar the charabanc Not progress and research centuries

for

of

;

of

.

-

for

country But a -side fragrant with sugar -sticks and utterly resounding with prayers is sentimental too gone Scare down before our age Sugar sticks have prayers the drowned been has hum the crows

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