Page 137 - A Historical Lie: The Stone Age

HARUN YAHYA

-The first steps in pharmacology, and the use of bandages and
compresses, go back to Ancient Egyptian times. The Smith Papyrus
(which is wholly concerned with medicine) describes how adhesive
strips of linen—an ideal material for making bandages—were used
to cover wounds.
-Archaeological findings have revealed a detailed picture of
medical practices in Egypt. In addition, the names and titles of more
than 100 doctors specializing in their own fields have been discovered.
-In reliefs on a wall of the temple at Kom Ombo, a box of surgi-
cal instruments is carved. This box contained metal shears, surgical
knives, saws, probes, spatulas, small hooks and forceps.
-The techniques employed were numerous and varied. Breaks
and fractures were set, splints employed and wounds closed with
stitches. Fractures that healed after treatment with great success
have been found in many mummies.
-Although no trace of surgical scars has been found in mum-
mies, there are 13 references to wound suturing in the Smith
Papyrus. This indicates that the Egyptians managed proper wound
suturing, employing linen thread. The needles were in all probabil-
ity made out of copper.
-Egyptian doctors were able to distinguish between sterile
wounds and infected ones. They used a mixture of ibex fat, fir oil
and crushed peas to clean infected wounds.
-Penicillin and antibiotics were discovered relatively recently.
However, the Ancient Egyptians used the first organic versions of
these and other different types of antibiotic, and wrote prescriptions
suited to various types of disease. 47
Along with these major strides in medicine, excavations have
also revealed that the Egyptians were very interested in such sub-
jects as urban planning and architecture.

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