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Commentary on the Significance for Modern Neurology of the 17th CenturyB.C. Surgical Papyrus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Cathy M. Helgason
Cathy M. Helgason*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
*
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, 912 S. Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 60612
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Abstract:

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A 17th century B.C. Surgical Papyrus known as “The Edwin Smith Papyrus” was published in facsimile and hieroglyphic transliteration with translation and commentary by James Henry Breasted in 1930. The Papyrus was acquired by Edwin Smith in Luxor, 1862. This document was conceived in the Pyramid Age (3000-2500 B.C.) and remains in material form from the 17th century B.C. It is of importance to the history of Neurology as it contains the earliest mention in oriental literature of (a) the brain and meninges (b) calvarial and cervical vertebral injuries in details of pathology, symptomatology, treatment and prognosis and (c) functional localization in the brain and spine. Most importantly, Papyrus Smith is a statement of the medical ethic of its time.

Type
Special Features
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , November 1987 , pp. 560 - 563
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1987

References

1.Breasted, JH. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus published in fascimile and hieroglyphic transliteration with translation and commentary in two volumes. Chicago. II: The Oriental Institute Publications Volume 111. the University of Chicago Press. 1930.Google Scholar
2.Grapow, H. Von den Medizinischen Texten. Art, Inhalt. Sprache und Stil der Medizinischen Einzeltexte Sowie Unberlieferung. Bestand und Analyse der Medizinischen Papyri. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1955: 106–141, 87–95.Google Scholar
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4. Ibid.: 281.Google Scholar
5. Ibid.: 46–47.Google Scholar
6. Ibid.: 107–108.Google Scholar
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8. Ibid.: 270–297.Google Scholar
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11. Ibid.: 182.Google Scholar