The Question of Dqr and Sterile Blades in P. Ebers 875 *

Abstract

Although a recent study interpreted the meaning of dqr as describing the process by which a guinea worm is removed from the body by winding on a stick, a contextual analysis of P. Ebers 875 suggests instead that dqr was used to describe the worm itself, and not the cure. Previous authors have also speculated that Egyptian physicians were aware of the importance of sterilized surgical equipment. Based on the known Egyptian medical mindset, this discussion proposes that no such advanced medical knowledge existed in ancient Egypt.