Running Head: AN OUTLOOK ON THE ACCOPMLISHMENTS OF IMHOTEP Page 1 of 6

An in depth analysis on the Impact of Imhotep on Modern day Medicine

Simran Singh

HST 1 Round Rock High School

This essay is an in depth analysis on the works and accomplishments of Imhotep and how his discoveries impact us today.

Running Head: AN OUTLOOK ON THE ACCOPMLISHMENTS OF IMHOTEP Page 2 of 6

Who was a chief adviser, a wizard, an architect, a priest, an astronomer and most

importantly a doctor in the Egyptian Era? The answer would be Imhotep. (Pronounced EEM-

HO-TEP) Imhotep was born in 2667 B.C.E. and died approximately in 2648 B.C.E. with no

exact date given. Imhotep was born a commoner meaning there is little known information about

his childhood and education. However it is known he received a very liberal education therefore

allowing his already gifted brain to expand and making him the historical figure we see him as

today. His name was depicted to mean “to come in peace”. One must wonder how he managed to

retain all his jobs, but what essentially happened was Imhotep would be working on one job and

his expertise would be required therefore unveiling a new talent of his.

Imhotep diagnosed and treated over 200 diseases, 15 diseases of the abdomen, 11 of the

bladder, 10 of the rectum, 29 of the eyes, and 18 of the skin, hair, nails and tongue according

to Highfield in 07. Imhotep treated tuberculosis, gallstones, appendicitis, gout and arthritis. He

also performed surgery and practiced some dentistry. Imhotep extracted medicine from plants.

He also knew the position and function of the vital organs and circulation of the blood system.

Imhotep developed the first apothecary in other words and thousands of years later come along

other doctors who figure out a lot of this information was found out about thousands of years

later, yet Imhotep the father of medicine has figured all this out without the fancy machines we

now have. Due to his groundbreaking discoveries he was regarded as a deity in Egyptian culture,

therefore no one would place a limit on him for he was a “deity”. In fact some felt blessed and

somewhat immortal if treated by the “revered” Imhotep. But the Egyptian society felt gifted to

have such a saintly figure in their presence. For what is better than having a surgeon lull you to

sleep with a poem and a poet perform surgery on you as gracefully as a swan gliding upon misty

blue waters.

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His doctoring abilities were unveiled when he was building the first pyramid of Egypt for

the pharaoh Djoser.

There were thousands of workers exposed to countless diseases both underground and

above. So meaning the workers below underground could have breathed in Mycobacterium,

which is found in the ground or the soil, henceforth exposing their already weakened immune

system to a new disease this immune system has never seen. And before they know it the

Mycobacterium has reached the lungs therefore causing Tuberculosis. And if another worker

seeing a comrade going underground and witnessing him coming back up ghastly colored he

might consider himself lucky. But little does he know the sand on the pyramid is as slippery as

the ice on the Brooklyn Bridge so, the next thing he knows he is falling to the ground and bought

a one way ticket to the ward next to his comrade with a broken leg. So, Imhotep being the only

person detaching himself from God and focusing more on science related recoveries decides to

heal his fellow carpenters using his prior knowledge of medicinal study. During this process he

produces the Smith Papyrus, which states over 90 present day anatomical terms and 48 injuries

according to the Smith Papyrus from BCE times.

The stethoscope perhaps one of the most commonly used instruments today in 21st

medicine was in fact invented by the one and only Imhotep. Although you may think I am

lying, if you were to ever check the insides of the tombs in ancient Egypt you would find to your

pleasure many “stethoscope” looking figures on the ancient hieroglyphs. Bone surgery was

particularly well developed, researching the proportions of scientific research. The Papyrus of

Edwin Smith deals extensively with dislocation of the jaws and various fractures.

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Egyptians physicians also recognized diseases which could not be treated: "An affliction

for which nothing can be done".

The Egyptians recognized Aloe Vera was an effective treatment for burns and Aloe Vera is a

valuable treatment still being used today. The Egyptians also used turmeric powder to help close

wounds which is still an active method in homes in India. The Egyptians ate dill which is still a

common cure in modern day India for stomach flatulence. The Egyptians were also firm users of

fenugreek which is widely believed to help reduce swelling and once again it’s a cure used only

in traditional homes in India. Gold was used to bind loose teeth, and the jaw-bone was at times

perforated to drain abscesses. As eye disease was a big problem, due to dust, flies and poor

hygiene, many prescriptions have been found, to cure (trachoma which is an inflammation of the

eyelid and cornea), (endemic to this day in Egypt), cataract and a form of night blindness. This

last ailment was correctly treated using animal liver, as, to this day, extracts of liver are also

used. Can't beat that headache? Why not try an incantation to falcon-headed Horus, or a soothing

poultice of "Ass's grease"? According to researchers, 3,500-year-old papyri show ancient

Egyptians turning to both their gods and medicine to banish headache pain.

All in all, Imhotep had become a deity in ancient Egyptian civilization. Imhotep’s

contribution to the modern day medical society was priceless. Imhotep had the skill of finding

diseases through observation of the coloration, shape, and overall conditions of the select areas in

the human body such as the hair, skin, tongue, and nails.. Imhotep was credited as being able to

"give child to the childless" and "provide remedies for all diseases." Without his knowledge

health care technology would not be half of where it is now. The invention of the stethoscope,

medicinal herbs, and most importantly surgery are all great contributions “Lord Imhotep”.

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And Imhotep contained enough intellect to keep a written record of his medicinal

excavations on his papyrus so people 5000 years later into the future can view it. And I am

almost positive other civilizations modeled the ancient Egyptians in their epic advancements in

the medicine field.

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References

Crystal , Ellie (2005). Ancient Egyptian Medicine. Retrieved September 4, 2009, from Crystal Inks Web site:

http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptmedicine.html

Zelimir, Mikic (2008). Imhotep--builder, physician, god. Retrieved September 4, 2009, from Find Health Articles

Web site: http://www.find-health-articles.com/rec_pub_19203075-imhotep-builder-physician-god.htm

Highfield, Roger (2007, May 10). How Imhotpe gave us medicine. Retrieved September 4, 2009, from The

Telegraph Web site: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3293164/How-Imhotep-gave-us-

medicine.html

True Jr, Phillip (2008, May 16). Imhotep "Father of Medicine" (2980 B.C.). Retrieved September 4, 2009, from

Africa Within Web site: http://www.africawithin.com/hpi/hp2.htm

Government, The Egyptian (None Given). The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus. Retrieved September 4, 2009, from

Tour Egypt Web site: http://www.touregypt.net/edwinsmithsurgical.htm