The Nile's Two Faces: The Ebers Papyrus, Parasites, and a Queen's Poisonous Remedy
In this article
Day 12 (Cancer History in 365 Days Series)
Examined in previous days, the Edwin Smith Papyruscontained cool-headed surgical observations and warnings not to intervene. But written around 1550 BC, the Ebers Papyrusintroduces a very different player: medicines—pharmacology.
This enormous scroll illuminates attempts to treat cancer, an insidious cancer cause hidden in Nile waters—schistosomiasis—and the tragedy of Queen Hatshepsut, perhaps history's first treatment-induced, or iatrogenic, cancer case.
Today, we enter the ancient world's pharmacy, following the traces of arsenic ointments, parasites, and cosmetic poisoning.
Medical Timeline (2650 BC - 2011)
1550 BC
Ebers Papyrus: A vast medical encyclopedia containing 877 prescriptions is written.
1458 BC
Hatshepsut's Death: The queen dies from cancer, possibly caused by her medicated ointment.
1910
Parasite Discovery: Sir Ruffer finds calcified Schistosoma eggs in mummies.
2011
Toxicological Analysis: The University of Bonn identifies carcinogenic benzopyrene in Hatshepsut's vial.
1. The Ebers Papyrus: What Do "Weshau" and "Bnwt" Mean?
If the Edwin Smith Papyrus is a surgical atlas, the Ebers Papyrus is a vast drug guide—a pharmacopoeia. In this 20-meter document, ancient physicians used powerful metaphors to describe cancer.
Weshau (Eating/Devouring Disease)
This term describes malignant processes. Tumors consuming the body, destroying tissue, and weakening patients through cachexia closely match modern descriptions of cancer. Prescription 811 for breast diseases specifically warns, "Do not cause devouring, do not cause bleeding."
Bnwt (Ulcer/Swelling)
Usually meaning an ulcer or abscess, the term indicates oral or skin cancers when described as an "eating ulcer." The papyrus recommends soothing, palliative herbal mouthwashes for these lesions.
Treatment Attempts: Alongside surgical excision, the Ebers Papyrus uses arsenic-containing "Egyptian Ointment," copper salts, and lead compounds. With its cell-killing, cytotoxic effect, arsenic can be considered a very primitive—although dangerous—ancestor of modern chemotherapy.
2. Environmental Cancer: The Nile and Schistosomiasis
Egyptian civilization owed its existence to the Nile, but the river also carried a deadly disease: Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia). It is history's oldest known environmental cause of cancer.
Ruffer's Microscope (1910)
In 1910, Sir Marc Armand Ruffer examined the kidneys of 3000-year-old mummies and found calcified parasite eggs. Transmitted by snails in Nile waters, these parasites settled in farmers' bladders, causing chronic inflammation and eventually Bladder Cancer(squamous cell carcinoma). The "AAA disease"—bloody urine—mentioned in papyri was most likely this condition.
3. A Queen's Tragedy: Hatshepsut and the Poisonous Remedy
Hatshepsut, the legendary female pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty (1479-1458 BC), was among history's most powerful women. Examination of her mummy revealed that she died painfully from metastatic cancer reaching her bones. But what caused it?
The University of Bonn's 2011 Discovery
A perfume vial thought to belong to the queen was analyzed. The residue at the bottom was medicine, not perfume.
- Purpose: Treating a chronic skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.
- Ingredients: Date palm and nutmeg oils.
- Fatal Error: High levels of BENZOPYRENE were detected in the mixture.
Benzopyrene is among the most potent carcinogens found today in cigarette smoke and tar. By applying this ointment to heal her skin, the queen unknowingly poisoned herself and invited cancer.
Was this article helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content.
Reader comments
Share your comment
Your name and comment are published only after administrator approval. Your email address is never shown to visitors.
Be the first to comment.