The Edwin Smith Papyrus
Case Forty-Six
AN ABSCESS WITH PROMINENT HEAD OF THE BREAST
TITLE: Instructions concerning an abscess with prominent head in his breast.
EXAMINATION: If thou examinest a man having an abscess with prominent head in his breast: (and) thou findest a very large swelling protruding on his breast, oily, like fluid under thy hand, while they produce some clamminess of the surface, (and) their faces have no ruddiness.
DIAGNOSIS: Thou shouldst say concerning him: "One having an abscess with prominent head in his breast .An ailment which I will treat with cold applications to that abscess which is in his breast."
TREATMENT:
- Sh,t(?)-fruit
- ntr.t(?)
- ksntyt(?)
Triturate, bind upon it.
- Fruit of ss(?)
- ksnty(?)
- mason's mortar
- water
Triturate, bind upon it.
If there is resistance to these cooling applications, thou shouldst avoid those remedies until all fluid which is in the abscess with a head exudes.
Thou shouldst treat him with wound- treatment, with applications fore drawing out the inflammation from the mouth of the wound (sore?) in his breast:
- Leaves of acacia
- sycamore
- juice of ym'(?)-leaves
- ox dung
- hny-t'(?)
Bind upon it.
Thou shouldst make for him astringents, in his breast:
- powder of green pigment
- dirt of cedar
- ointement fat
- northern salt
- ibex grease
Bind upon it.
Thou shouldst make for him poultices:
Triturate, apply to it.
NOTE A: As for: "An abscess with prominent head in his breast," it means that there is large swelling due to the injury which is hi his breast, soft like a fluids under the hand.
NOTE B: As for: "Clamminess of their surface", it means their skin is not hot.
NOTE C: As for: "There is no ruddiness upon it," it means that there is no redness upon it.
case forty-five
index of The Edwin Smith Papyrus
case forty-seven