The image shows surgical and gynaecological instruments used by ancient Egyptians over 3000-5000 years BC. It explains how advanced medicine at that time, scalpels, forceps, curettes were known and what we use as surgical instruments date back to ancient Egyptians designs. The question is, do you have a history of medicine in your medical/health curricula? What are the objectives of this component? And how do you integrate this part to other elements in the curriculum?
"Whoever has no past has no future either." History of medicine is a neglected topic in many medical schools.
Of course it is obvious that teaching the medical heritage of different human civilizations will boost our future development.
Thanks for the question on this relevant topic.
Thank you, Dr Ali, for your response. But let me share with you the picture I placed from a temple in Egypt, is studied by universities in the USA, Germany, France and others because of their significance in surgery. The principles on which they created these instruments is still more or less the principles on which we established modern forceps, scalpels, and other surgical instruments. Why are the universities in the Middle East so behind even from studying their past civilisations?
Yes. It should be necessary to teach history in medical curriculum. It will be helpful to understand the concept and scope of medicine and surgical education.
Long before Egyptians or Greeks knew about medicine and mathematics, Indian Sages and Sheers had vast knowledge. The reason that is not discussed is racial hate and bias. Both Christian and Muslim community compete with and against each other for religious bias, it this that Hindus and everything that Hindus knew or would do has not been promoted. Now to give a glimpse of what I have asserted, today, Western medicine is re-discovering about dietary vegetable fibre that has been a staple food for ancient Indians.
Sushrut is a well known ancient Indian physician even Western plastic surgeons follow his technique of rhinoplasty. But Indian texts are not quoted. It is high time that we learn to shed our folly of ignorance and learn everything without bias. Regards and malice against none.
Learning the history of medicine will give a deep insight whereby the students will learn to discover newer techniques and invent methods by which mankind can benefit from. I love to peruse the history of medicine. It is by this method, I re-discovered to use "Ambient Air" in operative laparoscopy with better results than by using the current global practice of CO2 for pneumoperitoneum. Had I not read the history of development of the operating laparoscopy technique, I would have never done it and my vast number of patients would have remained deprived of the benefit of laparoscopy surgery. Problem is that the current breed of teachers and trainers themselves are not familiar with these academic exercises. Most of them are busy in minting money only and has been tuned to work like robots.
Mohamad Moussa,
Thank you for your kind endorsement of my humble truthful note. Regards,
Are you from Palestine and worked with me in Zedda?
'History of Medicine' should be taught in medical schools because it places a perspective on technology and techniques that we currently use, and their historical background.
It also inform us of the development and rationale and the logical premise on which the therapy was based.
It is useful to know that all that is new and in vogue, may not stand the test of time, and prevents dogmatism in the practice of medicine.
The university I did my medical degree in, made it compulsory for all medical students to also study 3 years of art subjects.
I studied the 'History of Medicine' and ' Philosophy of Science'.
I think the 'Philosophy of Science' should also be taught in all medical curricula.
Of course! We must know & love the legacy of our discipline which will encourage us for dedication & commitment to the humanity.
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