Disease and sickness were among the more unpleasant fact of life in ancient Egypt and Nubia, where many of the illnesses we encounter today, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria, were already flourishing. Drawing extensively on the evidence provided by human remains, texts, statuary, and other works of art, Joyce Filer describes some of the health problems suffered by king and commoner alike. She examines the case of individuals such as Seneb, an achondroplastic dwarf who achieved high status as a court official during the Old Kingdom, or the young child whose crippling bone disease was revealed by its mummified remains. Dental disease, chest complaints, and parasitic infection from the waters of the Nile were a common part of Egyptian daily life. Set against the background of the ancient Egyptian environment, the author produces a detailed picture of diet and domestic arrangements and of both good and bad health. From the predynastic to the early Christian period, the effects of ill health and the constant threat of infectious disease on the life of the individual is assessed in the wider context of Egyptian society.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Then and Now,
By
This review is from: Disease (Egyptian Bookshelf) (Paperback)
Though this is a short book (only 112 pages) , Joyce Filer has packed it with information. She opens with a chapter on the effect of the environment on Egyptian health. Egypt had a "remark-able landscape." The Nile was its focal point. Unfortunately it was this close contact with the Nile that led to contact with parasites in its waters.The evidence for the existence of disease is often the surviving art of the people. Yet art can be subject to ideology. Akhenaten is thought to have Froehlich's Syndrome. He is portrayed with feminine atributes. But those who suffer from this malady can _not_ have children and Ahkenaten had six. At this point the expression "go figure" comes to mind. In addition to disease due to the environment, there are congenital diseases, acquired disorders, and trauma. Seqenenre is the pharaoh who rid his country of the Hyksos. His mummy shows six wounds. Did he suffer these during battle? X-ray analysis shows that bone around one of the wounds had partially healed. So did Seqenenre die of palace intrigue? Two things need to be said about Filer's book. First of all, the reader will not need a medical dictionary to follow along. Filer does a good job of explaining medical terms. Don't know what anencephaly is? See page 63. Second of all, the reader may ponder the causes of death then and now. Then...in ancient Egypt sand was used to help grind wheat. Since it could not be sifted back out, it became part of the bread. Egyptians developed abscesses which could become fatal infections. Filer mentions (p. 76) that tumors were a feature of the elderly. Now... our longevity has been increased and we face those diseases which Filer found in the elderly.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a slim yet important book on a fascinating subject,
By
This review is from: Disease (Egyptian Bookshelf) (Paperback)
Illnesses, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria, teeth infections and bone diseases, were part of the ancient Egyptian life. Thanks to evidence provided by mummies, papyri and painting, this book, written clearly, presents many of the health problems encountered in Ancient Egyptian society. The author gives an account of sicknesses and infections afflicting pharaohs, peasants, dwarves and court officials. This is an interesting slim volume, which proves to be most practical for students.
1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Disease (Egyptian Bookshelf) (Paperback)
I loved this book. It was soooooooooo cool. But, maybe that's just my opinion. Everyone reading this reviw should stop, and read the book instead; then tell me what you think.
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