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:

  • Red spnn(?)
  • sycamore
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