Diagnostika ve starověké Mezopotámii

Abstract

This paper is describing diagnostic system in ancient Mesopotamia. Diagnostics is process of illness’s determining. Mesopotamian physicians used mainly basic method of direct observation of patient and of all his symptoms. They noted wide range of symptoms conscientiously: temperature of patient, change of color on patient’s body, condition of eyes, teethes, tongue, different kind of pain, bleeding and many others. Observed symptoms concerned all areas of human body – eye and ear diseases, respiratory diseases, diseases of the circulatory system, digestive system diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system, gynecology, obstetrics, skin diseases, diseases of musculoskeletal system, parasitic disease, mental diseases and behavioral disorders and injuries. Physicians of ancient Mesopotamia recognized not only symptoms and theirs slight differences but particularly the whole clinical picture of illness - unique combination of symptoms typical for specific illness. They were well aware of typical symptoms announcing death of patient as well. The aim of whole diagnostic system was prognosis of patient. Diagnosis (name of illness) was used rarely. Diagnostic in ancient Mesopotamia reach a considerable success, diagnostic significantly overtook therapeutical methods and possibilities of Mesopotamian physicians. It is the reason why we find prognosis of death in so many statements.