The problem of knowledge about health and its relationship with magic at the beginning of this human civilization

Authors

  • Janusz Sytnik-Czetwertyński Centrum Medyczne Kształcenia Podyplomowego w Warszawie. Szkoła Zdrowia Publicznego

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2022.12.09.022

Keywords

Health knowledge, Sumer, Mesopotamian civilizations, medical knowledge, medical code

Abstract

One of the common features of primitive cultures and civilizations is the complete integration of magic and medicine. The symbol is tribal shamans playing both the role of a priest and a medic. In addition to practices that may have some justification, such as when the treatment is carried out with the help of plants known today for their therapeutic qualities, spells and practices characteristic of occult ceremonies are used. Magic even replaces the diagnosis here – it is the omens that are supposed to indicate the real state of the patient. History shows that the unification of magic and medicine is devastating for the latter.

References

Bielicki M., Zapomniany świat Sumerów, PIW, Warszawa 1966.

Ellade M., Historia wierzeń i idei religijnych, tom 1: Od epoki kamiennej do misteriów eleuzyńskich, przeł. S. Tokarski, Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, Warszawa 2007.

Kozłowski J.K., Wielka historia świata, tom 2, Świat Książki, Warszawa 2004.

Kramer S.N., History Begins at Sumer, Doubleday Anchor Books, New York 1956.

Mierzejewski A., Tajemnice glinianych tabliczek, Wydawnictwo Iskry, Warszawa 1981.

Nakamura H., Systemy myślenia ludów Wschodu, pod red. P. P. Wienera, tłum. M. Kanert, W. Szkudlarczyk-Brkić, WUJ, Kraków 2005.

Niżnikiewicz J., Tajemnice starożytnej medycyny, Tower Press, Gdańsk 2000.

Starożytny Sumer. Strona o cywilizacji Sumerów: https://www.starozytnysumer.pl/podstrony/nauka/medy-cyna.html [dostęp: 24.08.2022].

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Published

2022-08-30

How to Cite

1.
SYTNIK-CZETWERTYŃSKI, Janusz. The problem of knowledge about health and its relationship with magic at the beginning of this human civilization. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 30 August 2022. Vol. 12, no. 9, pp. 175-181. [Accessed 13 May 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2022.12.09.022.

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 9 (2022)

Section

Review Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Janusz Sytnik-Czetwertyński

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