Not Hippocrates but Imhotep is the True Father of Medicine
- VernacularTitle:Хиппократ бус харин Имхотеп-Анагаах Ухааны жинхэнэ эцэг
- Author:
Munkhtuvshin N
1
Author Information
1. Medical Research Institute
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2015;171(1):74-77
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Anybody who has dedicated himself for the medicine knows the Hippocratic Oath. It is an ethical framework of the physicians. It was written by Hippocrates (460-370 BCE), as we respect him “father of medicine” since two thousand years. However, the scientists of medical history suggest that Imhotep (2650–2600 BCE) is the author of Edwin Smith Papyrus, the oldest ancient Egyptian medical text. Imhotepwas treating ill patients with modern techniques. Imhotep was a Chancellor of the King Djoser, High Priest of Heliopolis, Scribe, Architect, Astronomer and Magician. As Hippocrates accomplishments was prominent in the history of medicine, since 400 years BCE, but Imhotep was the first physician from the mists of antiquity.The papyrus looks like the textbook for military surgeon. It presents the examination, the diagnosis and prognosis of 48 typical cases. Imhotep diagnosed and treated over 200 diseases. He treated tuberculosis, gallstones, appendicitis, gout and arthritis. He also performed surgery and practiced some dentistry. He extracted medicine from plants. It is accurate to call Imhotep as “the father of medicine”, as he lived approximately 2600 years before Hippocrates and practiced a type of science and medicine.
