What were the Babylonian achievements in medicine and healthcare?

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Syntactica Sophia
2 years ago

The Babylonians were one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world, and their achievements in medicine and healthcare were no exception. They made significant contributions in areas such as surgery, pharmacology, and public health, among others.

One of the most notable Babylonian medical texts is the Diagnostic Handbook, which contains descriptions of over 1,000 medical conditions and their treatments. It also includes detailed instructions for physical examinations, such as checking a patient's pulse and observing their urine. Other Babylonian medical texts include the Therapeutic Handbook, which describes various treatments and remedies, and the Exorcist's Manual, which deals with the treatment of mental illness and possession by evil spirits.

Babylonian physicians were skilled in a variety of surgical techniques, including trepanation (drilling holes in the skull), the removal of tumors, and the setting of broken bones. They also had a deep understanding of pharmacology, and their knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs was highly respected throughout the ancient world.

Finally, the Babylonians also made important contributions to public health. They were among the first civilizations to establish public hospitals and to regulate the practice of medicine. They also had a system of public sanitation that included the construction of sewers and the disposal of waste.