Details on the Edwin Smith Medical Papyrus > Basics
The Edwin Smith medical papyrus is a surgical document that was named for an American collector who purchased the document in 1862 in Luxor (Thebes), Egypt. It is the first known surgical document and contains 48 cases dealing with trauma to the head and upper body. It is thought to date to the mid 16th century B.C., although the treatments reference medical practices from about a millennium earlier. Besides containing 48 diagnostic and surgical treatments on the front, the back of it was used for more of the Egyptian traditional medicine.
The Edwin Smith papyrus provides information on trauma surgery and a wrinkle cream. Although it contains magic, the papyrus also contains rational procedures. One of the treatments is for wounds, using honey against infection.
