archaeological finds
This archaeological excavation lasted 17 years and was the largest medical archaeological excavation in history. Unearthed medical devices were exhibited to the public for the first time in the British Museum on the 5th.
Archaeologists have found that doctors' clinics in ancient Rome are very similar to modern medical environment. There is a small table, a high-backed leather chair and an operating room in the room. The operating table is near the wall, and the handwriting "Eutyches" is engraved on the wall, which archaeologists estimate is the doctor's name.
The house was built in the 2nd century BC and collapsed in a fire in 260. 1989, an ancient Roman tree was dug up in the Rimini area, and later more extensive excavation work was carried out. The doctor's house was found during the excavation. Since then, archaeologists have conducted a detailed search for this house for 17 years, and obtained the most detailed information on the medical situation in ancient Rome.
"This is by far the greatest exploration of ancient medicine," said Dr. Kraft Jackson, head of the ancient Rome Department of the British Museum. "Now we can learn more about the medical procedures and means at that time, because this excavation is complete, and the previous archaeological discoveries about medicine are too fragmentary."
Fully equipped
Among the unearthed 150 pieces of medical instruments with different shapes, the most unexpected one is a foot-shaped ceramic pot. As for its function, archaeologists explained that 1800 years ago, Italians put their feet in a pot and injected water or oil to soak their feet to treat colds.
"What is even more amazing is a small chisel for craniotomy, which is thick in the middle and thin around," said Jackson, who is also an expert in ancient medicine. "During the operation, first use another tool to cut a passage in the skull, and then use this chisel to open the skull safely."
Among the unearthed medical instruments, there is also a rare iron instrument used to pull out arrows from wounds. Therefore, people speculate that this doctor may have been a military doctor.
Some scalpels, scales, grinding rods and bottles are also among the unearthed utensils. The latter two are used to prepare and preserve drugs.
Advanced concept
In addition to all kinds of medical equipment, archaeologists found that the medical views of ancient Rome were very advanced. At that time, people made their own anesthetic, which was a mixture of mandrake, fairy and poppy.
Jackson said: "Joint pain is the most common disease in ancient Rome, and they may be treated by alternating cold and hot."
According to this archaeological discovery, scientists speculated that doctors generally treated patients in three steps at that time. The first step is to treat the disease by adjusting the diet structure; The second step is to take Chinese herbal medicines, which are generally collected from nature and the ground; The third step is surgery.
The ancient Roman doctors who owned these unearthed medical instruments knew a wide range of fields. It can be seen from his dental forceps and other surgical instruments that he can not only simply extract teeth, but also take out broken bones from the damaged skull.
"Doctors in ancient Rome knew 1800 years ago that the most important step after fracture was to take out the broken bone residue," Jackson said. "The doctor's tools were neatly tied up, and it was obvious that he had to deal with an emergency. Once he gets the news, he will go out to see a doctor as soon as possible. I am still studying and analyzing his various small blades, whether it is used for eye surgery or treating leg wounds. "