The first recorded practiced of abortion was in B.C. 1550 in Egypt. This was recorded in an ancient medical text called the Ebers Papyrus. In the Ebers Papyrus, it suggests the use of a plant-fiber tampon coated with a compound that included honey and crushed dates when having an abortion. It also mentions a herbal abortifacient called pennyroyal, which is sometimes used in abortions. Yet this pennyroyal is toxic and is not a safe way to induct an abortion.
Head, T.. "When Did Abortion Begin?." Civilliberty.about.com. About.com, 2012. Web. 13 Jun 2012. <http://civilliberty.about.com/od/abortion/f/When-Did-Abortion-Begin.htm>.
This is a very interesting post, Ryo. The ancient Egyptians were quite amazing. I wonder what their reasons were for stimulating abortions in those times. Family planning? Attempts to control the population of slaves? Helping a woman who might die in childbirth?
返信削除I found a site that might be of interest to you. It gives classical and modern versions of the Hippocratic Oath, a sort of promise--to act ethically and responsibly--that Western doctors make before they begin to start out on their medical career. Look at the differences between the classical and modern versions in how the issue of abortion is handled:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html
Cheers,
Joseph D.
Thank you for the comment Mr Dias.
返信削除The Ebers Papyrus was a medical text written in ancient Egyptian pictures, so I doubt that there are records of why they practiced abortion. 1550 B.C. is the end of the Second Intermediate Period, when Egypt was ruled by the Hyksos. At the end, an Egyptian name Ahmose I defeated the Hyksos and established a new dynasty. From my guess, he might have tried to eliminate every non-born baby that might have had the blood of the Hyksos'.
And thank you for the site you provided. I think I might make a post on it after I take a look at it.
Ryo K.
Wow! I was surprised that the first abortion ever practiced was in the times of B.C.!!
返信削除I imagined it to be more recent and in the States or Europe, not in Egypt.
Do you think this was somehow related to that mummification process conducted by ancient Egyptians?
返信削除Maya
Hello Maya.
削除No, I don't think it has to do with the mummification process. I've heard before that the Egyptians believed that the kings were like gods and would resurrect someday in the future. When they do, their going to need bodies, so they mummified the bodies to preserve them it that time comes.
Ryo K.