ANCIENT EGYPTIAN

MEDICINE
THE PAPYRUS EBERS
Translated from the German Version

.By
CYRIL P. BRYAN
M.B., B.CH., B.A.O.
Demonstrator in Anatomy, University College, London

With an Introduction by
PROFESSOR G. ELLIOT SMITH
M.D., D.SC., LITT.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S.
Professor ofAnatomy. University College, London

ARES PUBLISHERS INC.

MCMLXXIV
 Those about to study Medicine, and the younger
Physicians, should light their torches at the fires
of the Ancients.
ROKITANSKY

Unchanged Reprint of the Edition:

London, 1930.
ARES PUBLISHERS INC.

Printed in the United States of America

International Standard Book Number:
0-89005-004-X
Library of Congress Catalog Card Nunfter:
K 74-77905
 DISEASES OF THE EYES 95
Pinguecula
Pterygium
Staphyloma
Trichiasis
CHAPTER XVI

DISEASES OF THE EYES To improve the sight a 'lotion' prepared by

warming Chips-of-a-new-hennu-pot in Fresh Milk
NINE pages of the original papyrus are devoted to eye- was recommended. Another lotion could be prepared
conditions, a fact which need occasion no surprise to by combining Cream with the Milk-of-a-Woman-
anyone acquainted with that country even after the who-has-borne-a-Son. Apply to the eyes frequently, is
thousands of years that separate us from that far- added. A number of salves are also given in each of
distant period. In a separate volume published in which Collyrium figures. Thus in one the Collyrium
1889 Ebers gave a detailed translation of this inter- is simply combined with Honey; in another with
esting chapter, differentiating the following conditions: Honey and Sap-from-Fresh-Onions; in another with
the Marrow-of-an-Ox; in another with Goose-grease
Blepharitis and Water; in another with Incense and Real Lapis
Blindness lazuli; in another with Antimony, Copper-vitriol,
Carcinoma Writing-fluid, and Onions; and in still another with
Cataract Writing-fluid, Myrrh, Opal-resin, Arabian-wood-
Chalazion powder, and Saltpetre-from-Upper-Egypt.
Chemosis For Bleary Eyes one beat up Myrrh, Onions,
Ectropion Verdigris, and Cyperus-from-the-North, with Antilope-
Entrop ion dung, Clear Oil, and Entrails-of-the-qadit-animal.
Granulation This could be painted on with a Vulture's feather.
Haemorrhage Fortunately for Bleary-eyed panel patients of that day,
Hydrophthalmus and for those whose means did not run to Antilopes
Inflammation and Vultures (not to mention qadit-animals) the
Iritis homely Assas so often beforestepped into the
Leucoma breach and offered himself, or rather part of himself,
Ophthalmoplegia for their benefit:
94
96 THE PAPYRUS EBERS DISEASES OF THE EYES 97
ANOTHER REMEDY Scribe thought it advisable to impart some ginger
Ass's Tooth into the treatment:
Mix in Water and apply around the Patient's
eyes so that he recovers quickly. ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT FAT-IN-THE-EYES
Red-lead
The remedy does not sound very convincing but it has Goose-grease
the merit of being clean and as such is infinitely to be Smear the eyes therewith.
preferred to the 'remedy' employed by a recent SEE TO IT!
patient of the writer who for the three weeks preceding
had been vigorously (and to his surprise unavailingly) Another remedy approximated more to the modern
bathing his bleary eyes, night and morning, with his treatment of the disease:
own urine!
A simple poultice of Incense and Crocus, equal ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT FAT-IN-THE-EYES
parts, often sufficed to clear up Bloodshot Eyes. If it
did not a more complicated poultice composed of Knife-stone
Onions, Verdigris, Collyrium, and Arabian-wood Mix in Fresh Milk and apply thereto very often.
powder, crushed 'to a powder' with Ink and Water
was recommended. Then there was another: To-day it is the Knife instead of a Knife-stone that
we apply to the eye, while the patient is instructed to
ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT BLOOD IN THE EYES drink the Fresh Milk.
'To him whose two eyes suffer from a flow of
Two Clay vessels: in one put powdered Fruit-
matter' a poultice of Clay-from-a-Statue, Leaves-of-
of-the-Dompalm and Milk-of-a-Woman-who-
the-Castor--oil-tree, and Honey, is advised. To restore
has-borne-a-Son. In the other Cow's Milk.
the lustre of the eyes one could apply a poultice of
Keep moist. In the morning bathe both eyes
Onions, Resin, and Verdigris, crushed in the Milk-
from the Fruit-of-the-Dompalm. Next wash
of-a-Woman-who-has-borne-a-Son. If a film covered
the Eyes with the Cow's Milk four times for
the eyes the remedies were many, but two will suffice:
six days.

Xanthelasma seemingly proved a troublesome con- TO DISPEL THE FILM IN THE EYES ON THE FIRST DAY
dition, for after laying down various remedies the Water-from-the-Bird-pond I
 98 THE PAPYRUS EBERS DISEASES OF THE EYES 99
Whether this was drunk or merely applied to the eyes I lead forth what I find.
does not appear; but fortunately in the next remedy I lead forth your heads.
there was no room for doubt: I lift up your necks.
I fasten what has been cut from you in its place.
ANOTHER REMEDY FOR THE FILMING-OVER WHICH I lead you forth to drive away the God of Fevers
RISES IN THE EYE and all possible Deadly Arts.
Dried-excrement-from-the-Body-of-a-Child So MANY THERE ARE.
Honey A formula to repeat over the Brain-of-a-Tortoise
Put in Fresh Milk and then apply to the Eyes. that is mixed in Honey, and then laid on the
Eyes.
Leucoma was a complaint that set these far-off
Oculists on their mettle. They tried to coax it away
with a lotion of Cream and Milk, or another of Colly- Cataract was another condition which had the
rium, Ink, and Water. These failing they ground Ancients at their wits' end. Goose-grease and Honey
some Ebonywood and Collyrium to powder and applied was tried as a poultice; Isinglass and Verdigris;
it. Next they dressed the eyes with a poultice of Lapis lazuli, Milk, Incense, and Crocodile-earth.
Powdered Granite. Then getting desperate they tried But how intractable this disease must have proved
a 'paste' made from Collyrium and the Bile-of-the- itself is revealed in the call made to the gods to re-
abdu-fish. Finally they resorted to Magic, plus the inforce the remedy:
Brain-of-a-Tortoise mixed with Honey:

ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT THE WHITE GROWTH IN THE ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT CATARACT IN THE EYES
EYES
Come, Verdigris I
There is a Shouting in the Southern Sky in the Come, Verdigris!
Darkness. Come, Thou Fresh One!
There is an Uproar in the Northern Sky. Come, Efflux from the Eye of the god Horus I
The Hall of Pillars falls into the Waters. It comes, That which issues forth from the Eye
The Ship-folk of the Sun-god beat their oars so ofTum!
that the heads at his side fall into the water. Come, Juice that gushes from Osiris!
Who leads hither what he finds? He comes to him, he drives away from him Water,
 100 THE PAPYRUS EBERS DISEASES OF THE EYES ioi
Matter, Blood, Inflammation of the Eyes, ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT PTERYGIUM
Mattery-discharge, Blindness, Dripping Eyes.
This the God of Fever works all Deadly Arts, the Red-lead
uxedu of every kind, and all things evil of these Powdered-wood-from-Arabia
eyes. Iron-from-Apollonopolis-parva
Calamine
So MANY THERE ARE OF THEM.
Egg-of-an-Ostrich
Words to be spoken over Verdigris mixed with Saltpetre-from-Upper-Egypt
Beetle-wax. Sulphur
Add Cyperus thereto and carefully apply to the Honey
Eye.
Make into one and apply to the Eyes.

Another growth in the eye, Pterygium, was not

looked on kindly, judging by the remedies which these Eyes which suffered from a 'flow of matter' were
people appeared ready to submit to. Certainly the dismissed with a mere couple of remedies. Clay-from-
Scribe leads off with an inoffensive poultice of Honey- a-Statue was ground up in Honey along with some
comb, following it with another of Beetle-wax, but Leaves-from-the-Castor-Oil-tree, and applied to the
these must have proved useless for he soon passes on eyes. The second remedy was not so easily put up.
to more complicated and stronger remedies. Excre- Some Real Collyrium was soaked in Water for four
ment-of-the-henut-bird, is recommended, mixed up days; then for another four days it was soaked in
with Sea-salt and Incense; then descending from the Goose-grease. It was now washed in the Milk-of-a-
clouds he sets down another composed of Lizard's Woman-who-had-borne-a-Son, and allowed to dry for
dung, Collyrium, Soda-from-Upper-Egypt, and Honey. nine days. Thereafter it was crushed with some
Another poultice is composed of Black Knife-stone Myrrh, made up into a ball, and rubbed on the eye.
and Crocodile-earth, mixed up with Honey and The victims of ingrowing eyelashes must have been
flavoured with Incense. He made an attempt at a a veritable godsend to the rising ophthalmologist in
golden-eye ointment, too, when he crushed some Ancient Egypt. At the same time they must have
Collyrium in the Egg-of-a-Vulture; but what the proved a very severe drain on the live-stock of the
colour of the following turned out to be only a brave country, as may be seen from a perusal of some of the
man would say: remedies prescribed for that irritating affliction:
 102 THE PAPYRUS EBERS DISEASES OF THE EYES 103

TO DRIVE OUT TRICHIASIS ANOTHER

Myrrh Fat-of-an-Ox i
Lizard's Blood I Olive Oil
Bat's Blood I Entrails-of-Moles i
Tear out the Hairs and put thereon in order to Crush into one, put on the fire, and put in the
make him well.
place of the Hair.

TO PREVENT THE HAIR GROWING INTO THE EYE AFTER ANOTHER

IT HAS BEEN PULLED OUT
Brain-of-the-uuat-bird I
Incense-ground-in-Lizard's-dung
Smear a Vine-leaf therewith and put in the place
Cow's Blood
whence the Hair has been pulled out.
Ass's Blood
Pig's Blood
Dog's Blood ANOTHER
Stag's Blood Wasp's dung
Collyrium Red-lead i
Incense Urine
Crush, rub into one in the different kinds of Mix and put in the places where the Hair has
Blood, and place on the part whence the Hair been pulled out.
has been pulled out so that it may not grow
again. Still another eye-condition which set these Ancients
thinking was Blindness. Only three remedies were
ANOTHER given for this calamity. The first, a 'lotion' made by
Bat's Blood crushing Dried Myrrh iii Sour Milk, we may be sure
I
Rim-of-a-new-hennu-vessel accomplished nothing. The second, however, a
I
Honey poultice of Powdered Onions, most assuredly made the
I
blind man see stars. The third remedy spared the
Powder and place where the Hair has been patient somewhat, the disease being attacked through
pulled out. that less-sensitive organ, the ear:
104 THE PAPYRUS EBERS DISEASES OF THE EYES 105
ANOTHER AGAINST BLINDNESS REMEDY FOR THE EYE WHEN SOMETHING EVIL HAS

The Two Eyes of a Pig; remove the water HAPPENED TO IT

therefrom A Human Brain
True Collyrium Divide it in halves.
Red-lead To one half add Honey and anoint the Eye
Wild Honey
therewith in the Evening.
Crush, powder, make into one, and inject into Dry the other half, crush, powder, and anoint the
the Ear of the Patient. Thereby he will at Eye therewith in the Morning.
once recover. When thou hast seen properly
to this mixing, repeat this Magic Formula: To correct Squint, Collyrium, Red-lead, and Soda
I HAVE BROUGHT THIS THING AND PUT IT IN ITS were beaten into a paste and applied to the wandering
PLACE. THE CROCODILE IS WEAK AND POWER- eye. When the futility of this became apparent, a
LESS. poultice of Onions, Granite, and Resin, was tried.
(Twice). This in turn failing to straighten the squinting optic,
the animal world was combed for a remedy:
For the Drawing-together of the Pupil of the Eye,'
whatever that may mean, one bathed the eye frequently
TO DRIVE AWAY SQUINTING IN THE EYES
with a lotion made by crushing Shavings-from-
Ebony-Wood with Soda-from-Upper-Egypt in Water. Tortoise-brain
For a swelling in the Nose caused by inflammation of abra-ointment
the tear-sac a salve composed of Collyrium, Dried Apply to the Eyes.
Myrrh, Arabian-wood powder, and Honey, was rubbed
in for four days. 'MARK THIS WELL (the Scribe adds), The final choice falling on the Tortoise because of the
FOR IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.' Another eye-salve comparative rarity of cross-eyed tortoises in Ancient
is prescribed for 'Driving out Tumours in-the-Head,' Egypt, it may be presumed.
while the Scribe also finds room to quote two salves
for general use: one 'AS PRESCRIBED BY THE PRIESTLY Finally we have several remedies for' Hotness in the
PHARMACIST Xui,' the other 'AS TOLD US BY A JEW Eyes,' a condition which without doubt must have been
FROM BYBLOS.' As well he provides against any visited rather frequently on those driven for various
obscure ailment of the eye not specifically dealt with reasons to place themselves under the care and treat-
by him: ment of an Oculist of the Pharaohonic period. As an
K
io6 THE PAPYRUS EBERS
eye-cooler ' Baked Ox-liver, placed carefully thereon'
does not sound very hopeful, but Soda-from-Upper-
Egypt (even when dissolved in Spring-water) sounds
positively alarming in spite of the Scribe's special note
appended to the prescription: 'IT HEALS IT!' The CHAPTER XVII
third remedy, however, shows more promise, and
reveals once again a belief on the part of these ancient DISEASES OF THE EAR, NOSE AND
physicians in the homceopathic doctrine of like-curing- MOUTH
like:
IN contradistinction to eye-troubles, affections of the
ANOTHER TO DRIVE OUT HOTNESS IN THE EYES Ears receive scant treatment. As might be expected,
Tallow-from-the-Jawbone-of-an-Ass the chapter opens with a remedy for the Ear-that-
Mix in Cool Water and let the Patient put on his Hears-Badly, but it is extremely doubtful if the
Temples in order that he may be healed forth- sufferer experienced any relief from having his ears
with. plugged with Red-lead and Resin-from-the-am-tree,
even when rubbed up beforehand with Fresh Olive
Oil.
For an Ear-that-Discharges-foul-smelling-Matter,
an application of Incense-in-Goose-Grease ground up
with Cream-from-the-Milk-of-a-Cow in various grains
is recommended, but whether as poultice or injection
is not altogether clear. Not that it mattered much, one
is safe in asserting. Failing the above, an injection
composed of Ass's Ear, Red-lead, Caraway and Olive
Oil, could be squirted into the Ear. But discharging
ears were as resistant to treatment in those days as in
these, and detailed instructions were sometimes neces-
sary:

ANOTHER TO TREAT THE EAR

Treat it with cooling remedies, not warm ones.
107