Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Ancient Egypt: Insights from the Edwin Smith Papyrus

Kamp, Marcel A.; Tahsim-Oglou, Y.; Steiger, H J; Hänggi, Daniel

doi:10.1055/s-0031-1275746

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Archaeological remains of trepanned skulls, dating from approximately 2500 BC, reveal the frequent practice of neurosurgical procedures in different cultures, probably to address brain disorders [23][24][25] . The Edwin Smith Papyrus, dating from 1500 BC, is the oldest written historical record detailing the relationship between the brain and the clinical manifestations of various neurological diseases 26,27 .…”

Section: Neuroscience and Ethicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroethics: the institutionalization of ethics in neuroscience

Hamdan

2017

Rev. Bioét.

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Recent advances in neuroscience have led to numerous ethical questions. Neuroethics is the study of ethical, legal and social advancements in neuroscience which, despite being a recently developed discipline, has a long historical tradition. The concern with ethical issues in neuroscience is extremely old and dates back to the philosophical and scientific traditions that originally sought to understand the relationship between the brain and behavior. More recently, the field of neuroethics has emerged in the context of public and academic debate over the consequences of the advances arising from neuroscience. In the current context, technological innovations, which have arisen from the expansion of neuroscience research, have raised new ethical dilemmas. This article aims to analyze the historical course of ethics within the field of neuroscience, specifically the appearance and the recent institutionalization of neuroethics.

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Section: Neuroscience and Ethicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroethics: the institutionalization of ethics in neuroscience

Hamdan

2017

Rev. Bioét.

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“…In fact, the papyrus contains the first descriptions of the brain, the dura, and the cerebrospinal fluid as well as the brain's pulsations, and it details contusions resulting from traumatic brain injury, revealing a more or less sophisticated knowledge of cerebral anatomy. Furthermore, ancient physicians examined wounds, fractures, signs of basal skull fractures, and associated neurological or infectious symptoms, and they classified injury patterns according to prognosis [4] . Of the 48 cases described on the papyrus, 27 concern head traumas, and 6 deal with spine traumas.…”

Section: Traumatic Brain Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurology and War: From Antiquity to Modern Times

Paciaroni¹,

Arnao²

2016

War Neurology

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Here, we chronicle the evolution of warfare from antiquity to modern times (18th century) and its impact on the later-to-be-defined field of neurology, especially with regard to brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries and neurological disorders caused by biological weapons and psychological trauma. We describe how individuals courageously and intelligently dealt with the horrors of war, from the Egyptians to the Greeks and onward to the Romans, up until the physicians of modern times. In doing so, they responded to the call of duty by inventing solutions that benefitted not only soldiers but also civilian medicine.

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“…26 It describes 48 surgical cases, 27 of which are related to head injuries. It is believed that this papyrus was found in the tomb of a physician and that it was written by Imhotep (2655-2600 bc), who served under the King Djoser.…”

Section: Head Anatomy In Ancient Egyptmentioning

confidence: 99%

The journey of discovering skull base anatomy in ancient Egypt and the special influence of Alexandria

Elhadi

Kalb²,

Pérez-Orribo³

et al. 2012

FOC

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The field of anatomy, one of the most ancient sciences, first evolved in Egypt. From the Early Dynastic Period (3100 bc) until the time of Galen at the end of the 2nd century ad, Egypt was the center of anatomical knowledge, including neuroanatomy. Knowledge of neuroanatomy first became important so that sacred rituals could be performed by ancient Egyptian embalmers during mummification procedures. Later, neuroanatomy became a science to be studied by wise men at the ancient temple of Memphis. As religious conflicts developed, the study of the human body became restricted. Myths started to replace scientific research, squelching further exploration of the human body until Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria. This period witnessed a revolution in the study of anatomy and functional anatomy. Herophilus of Chalcedon, Erasistratus of Chios, Rufus of Ephesus, and Galen of Pergamon were prominent physicians who studied at the medical school of Alexandria and contributed greatly to knowledge about the anatomy of the skull base. After the Royal Library of Alexandria was burned and laws were passed prohibiting human dissections based on religious and cultural factors, knowledge of human skull base anatomy plateaued for almost 1500 years. In this article the authors consider the beginning of this journey, from the earliest descriptions of skull base anatomy to the establishment of basic skull base anatomy in ancient Egypt.

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Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Ancient Egypt: Insights from the Edwin Smith Papyrus

Cited by 12 publications

References 0 publications

Neuroethics: the institutionalization of ethics in neuroscience

Neuroethics: the institutionalization of ethics in neuroscience

Neurology and War: From Antiquity to Modern Times

The journey of discovering skull base anatomy in ancient Egypt and the special influence of Alexandria

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