Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus
Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus | |
---|---|
Created | c. 1825 BC |
Discovered | 1889 Egypt |
Discovered by | Flinders Petrie |
Present location | London, England, United Kingdom |
The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus (also Petrie Medical Papyrus, Kahun Medical Papyrus, Lahun Medical Papyrus, or UC32057) is the oldest known medical text in Egyptian history, dated to c. 1825 BCE, during the Twelfth Dynasty. The Papyrus addresses gynecological health concerns, pregnancy, fertility, and various treatments.
History
It was found at El Lahun (Faiyum, Egypt) by Flinders Petrie in 1889[1] and first translated by F. Ll. Griffith in 1893 and published in The Petrie Papyri: Hieratic Papyri from Kahun and Gurob.[2] It is kept in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology of the University College London. The later Berlin Papyrus and the Ramesseum Papyrus IV cover much of the same ground, often giving identical prescriptions.[3]
The text is divided into thirty-four sections, each section dealing with a specific problem and containing diagnosis and treatment; no
Contraception
In Column 3, Line 6 of the Papyrus, there are details of a contraception method involving the burning or sprinkling of crocodile dung.[6] The Column 3, Line 6 contraception method is often misconstrued as insertion of crocodile dung against the cervix. The context of Column 3, Line 7 depicts another contraception method involving sprinkling honey and natron salt over the woman's womb to prevent pregnancy.[6]
See also
- List of ancient Egyptian papyri
- Kahun Papyri
- History of medicine
Bibliography
- O'Dowd, Michael J.; Philipp, Elliot E. (2000) [First published 1994]. The History of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Paperback ed.). New York: Parthenon Publishing Group. p. 43. LCCN 94019129.
- Smith, Lesley. "The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus: Ancient Egyptian medicine." Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care (2011): 54-55[6]
References
- LCCN 2005295595.
- ^ Griffith, F. Ll. (1898). The Petrie Papyri: Hieratic Papyri from Kahun and Gurob. London: Bernard Quaritch. (Please note the book pages run from back to front.)
- LCCN 85010775.
- LCCN 94034911.
- ^ "Manuscript for the health of mother and child", translated by Steven Quirke, University College London
- ^ a b c Smith, Lesley (2011). "The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus: ancient Egyptian medicine". Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. 37 (1): 54–55 – via BMJ Journals.
External links
- Dollinger, André (July 25, 2009). "The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus". An introduction to the history and culture of Pharaonic Egypt. Kibbutz Reshafim. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
- full text