The history of medicine is an extensive and distinguished one, as man sought to alleviate illnesses and fix injuries since the dawn of civilization. Their advancement of ancient medical practices is a rather astonishing one, considering the lack of “modern” facilities, sterilization, and sanitation. The perils of war, disease, and famine were just a few examples of the hardships encountered by civilizations. Magicians and physicians played an integral part in relieving the suffering of these conditions with their roles being mutually inclusive. Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations are prime examples of societies that thrived on these early forms of “magical” medicine.
Almost all of our knowledge about ancient Egyptian medical practices …show more content…
Their success wasn’t just the result of wishful thinking but of methodical experimentation and observation. Even today, their practices serve as a framework for modern medicine. For example, the earliest form of specialized medical practices can be traced back to the Egyptians. During his travels in Egypt in 450 B.C, Herodotus wrote, “The practice of medicine is so divided among them, that each physician is a healer of one disease and no more. All the country is full of physicians some of the eye, some of the teeth, some of what pertains to the belly, and some of the hidden diseases.” (Leek, 51). This would be the modern day version of visiting a cardiologist or pulmonologist. It’s amazing to think that over 5,000 years ago the concept of specialized medicine was already beginning to …show more content…
According to the Law Code of Hammurabi, “If a man has destroyed the eye of a man of the gentleman class, they shall destroy his eye. If he destroyed the eye of a commoner he shall pay one mina of silver. If he has destroyed the eye of a gentleman’s slave he shall pay half the slave’s price.” (http://www.ushistory.org/civ/4c.asp). Lack of personal equality aside, the text outlines the liability of physicians who performed surgery. Concurring to these laws, both the successful surgeon 's compensation and the failed surgeon 's accountability were determined by the status of his patient. Therefore, if a surgeon operated and saved the life of a person of high status, the patient was to pay much more compared to saving the life of a slave. Nevertheless, if a person of high status died as a consequence of surgery, the surgeon risked having his hand cut
Almost all of our knowledge about ancient Egyptian medical practices …show more content…
Their success wasn’t just the result of wishful thinking but of methodical experimentation and observation. Even today, their practices serve as a framework for modern medicine. For example, the earliest form of specialized medical practices can be traced back to the Egyptians. During his travels in Egypt in 450 B.C, Herodotus wrote, “The practice of medicine is so divided among them, that each physician is a healer of one disease and no more. All the country is full of physicians some of the eye, some of the teeth, some of what pertains to the belly, and some of the hidden diseases.” (Leek, 51). This would be the modern day version of visiting a cardiologist or pulmonologist. It’s amazing to think that over 5,000 years ago the concept of specialized medicine was already beginning to …show more content…
According to the Law Code of Hammurabi, “If a man has destroyed the eye of a man of the gentleman class, they shall destroy his eye. If he destroyed the eye of a commoner he shall pay one mina of silver. If he has destroyed the eye of a gentleman’s slave he shall pay half the slave’s price.” (http://www.ushistory.org/civ/4c.asp). Lack of personal equality aside, the text outlines the liability of physicians who performed surgery. Concurring to these laws, both the successful surgeon 's compensation and the failed surgeon 's accountability were determined by the status of his patient. Therefore, if a surgeon operated and saved the life of a person of high status, the patient was to pay much more compared to saving the life of a slave. Nevertheless, if a person of high status died as a consequence of surgery, the surgeon risked having his hand cut