Egyptian Medicine

Society

• The Egyptian civilisation was an agricultural one that spread in a narrow band along the River Nile. Every year the Nile floods fertilised the fields and the river provided water for irrigation. 
•  Successful agriculture provided spare food so more people were doctors, priests and other professionals. 
• More trade and communication – ships imported new herbs and plants, which were used as medicines. 
• The Egyptians had writing – ideas could be recorded and communicated better than previously. 

Beliefs 

• The River Nile led some to suggest that, like the Nile and irrigation systems, the body was full of channels. 
• They thought that you became ill if the channels of your body were blocked. 
• They used purging, vomiting and blood-letting to unblock the channels when someone became unwell. 
• These ideas weren’t accepted by all and those who believed them did not abandon spiritual treatments. 
• The Egyptians also knew diet…