The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt

(ocr & analytical bookmarks for text & illustration added)

The prevention and cure of disease and the treatment of injuries were major concerns in ancient Egypt. Poorly understood in Egyptian society, illness informed much of their art. Featuring works from The Metropolitan Museum's collection, this fascinating book examines this relatively unexplored and underappreciated aspect of Egyptian art. It includes two introductory essays on Egyptian medicine, descriptions and photographs of sixty-four objects, and the first color reproduction of the Edwin Smith Papyrus in its entirety, accompanied by a full translation. One of the world's oldest scientific documents, the 15-foot-long Smith papyrus (now housed in the New York Academy of Medicine), discusses both practical and magical treatments of wounds and other maladies.

Diseases and injuries were major concerns for ancient Egyptians. This book, featuring some sixty-four objects from the Metropolitan Museum, discusses how both practical and magical medicine informed Egyptian art and for the first time reproduces and translates treatments described in the spectacular Edwin Smith Papyrus.

James P. Allen , Susan J. Allen , and Diana Craig Patch are in the Department of Egyptian Art, and David T. Mininberg , M.D., is associated with the Department of Egyptian Art, all at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.