During the ancient Egyptian civilisation, the first of who from a modern perspective we would call doctors emerged.

That he was also a priest wasn’t unusual as for the Egyptians – a god-fearing people with many different deities – treatment such as painkillers and cleaning a wound went hand in hand with asking higher powers for help. It was not uncommon for a witch doctor to accompany a doctor on their rounds, making the required spells aimed at making the treatment more effective. Despite this strong focus on the supernatural, ancient Egyptian doctors also made very important discoveries about how the human body worked, and they knew that the heart, pulse rates, blood and air were important to the workings of the human body and that a weak heartbeat meant that the patient had serious problems.
These first doctors held highly prestigious positions due to their invaluable knowledge of different illnesses and treatments and their ability to read and write. They were trained in the medical schools of temples and travelled throughout the land to heal royal families and all those who could afford their expertise. Egyptian doctors used to commonly classify illnesses into three categories: those related to the action of evil spirits; to clear causes such as wounds, and those with unknown causes which were attributed to the will of the gods.
Washing hands
Egyptian doctors understood that hygiene was vital. However, they mistakenly believed that the water from the Nile was purified.
Utensils
Surgical materials were improved and become more precise due to the anatomical knowledge gained from the mummification process.
Professionals
Doctors were some of the most well-respected figures in Egyptian society. In their clinical practices they used medical equipment, remedies and prayers to the gods.
Assistants
Most doctors would have assistants to keep the patient immobilised and help with equipment. An assistant was also a sign of status.
Convalescence
The Egyptians did not know about anaesthesia, so patients would be conscious when operated on and treated. However, they did use different types of painkillers and drugs which helped to numb the patients’ pain.
Pharmacopoeia
Remedies with medicinal properties were recorded in papyrus that included instructions on their preparation. It is through such material that much medical information from this period is still available.
Witch Doctor
Despite having a good understanding of the human body, Egyptian doctors also believed in the power of the spirits to heal. A witch doctor would make the necessary magic spells to make the treatment more effective and increase the chances of success.
How do we know this?
Lots of information has come from first-hand sources, such as ancient papyrus, that have been discovered – the dry atmosphere of the country helping to preserve these – which provide lots of information about ancient Egyptian medical knowledge and practice. Archaeological digs have also found evidence of men titled as physicians, and hieroglyphics in tombs have made mention of Egyptian doctors.