from The Healing Hand

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As I explain on the News page, The Healing Hand is packed with interesting material about the ancient treatment of wounds. Here are some items specifically concerning women:

The hieroglyph at left means Peseshet, the name of a Chief Woman Physician, an unusual profession for an ancient Egyptian woman. Majno points out that the social status of Egyptian women could be powerful, even before Cleopatra.

 

 

He says "a subtle sign of this power is the possessive, almost protective attitude of women in many Egyptian sculptures of couples, in which the wife holds the husband with both hands." (right)

 

 

 

 

This is a successful caesarian section in 1879 closed with iron spikes and thread. The Ugandan surgeon used banana wine for anesthesia.

 

All pictures are reproduced from The Healing Hand ©Harvard University Press, 1991

 

 

 

 


 

© 1997 Harry Finley. It is illegal to reproduce or distribute this work in any manner or medium without written permission of the author. Please report suspected violations to hfinley@mum.org

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