Some spects of the practice of pharmacy in ancient Egypt 1850 B.C. to 1300 B.C.

Abstract

The skills of the ancient Egyptians as physicians and surgeons is renowned and evidence abounds regarding the diseases and ailments which plagued the civilisation. What is less recognised is whether the ancient Egyptians practised pharmacy and what efficacy if any, lay in their medicaments. Over 1000 prescriptions from the Ancient Egyptian papyri, have been analysed their formulation, administration and efficacy compared with contemporary pharmacy. We have demonstrated that whilst pharmacists most probably did not exist as a separate profession in ancient Egypt, the art of pharmacy did. Indeed, some 70% of the known substances used by the ancient Egyptian physicians were in use some 3500 years later in 20th century A.D. The foundations established in Egypt were probably adopted by the Greeks whose political stability conferred historical continuity. Thus it was they, who were credited with being the fathers of medicine and pharmacy. Instigation and credit most probably lay with the Egyptians some 1500 years before Hippocrates