The First Hospital

Professor John Henrid Clarke, Research Director of the First African Heritage Exposition, presents Sir William Osler, author of the book, Evolution of Modern Medicine, who refers to:

Imhotep as "the first figure of a physician to stand out clearly from the mists of antiquity".

Professor Clarke further adds:

Imhotep, the Wise, as he was called, was the Grand Vizier and Court Physician to King Zoser...He became a deity and later a universal God of Medicine, whose images graced the first Temple of Imhotep, MANKIND'S FIRST HOSPITAL.

"Egyptian physicians were frequently specialists; some were oculists; others were dentists, surgeons, specialists in diseases of the stomach, and so on. In the course of their work they made many discoveries of lasting value".

Edward McNall Burns and Philip Lee Ralph note that Egyptians discovered the value of cathartics, noted the curative properties of numerous drugs, and compiled the first materia medica, or catalogue of medicines. Many of their remedies, both scientific and magical, were carried into Europe by the Greeks and are still employed by the peasantry of isolated regions.

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