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Abstract Introduction The first examples of occupational medicine in Africa can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. Materials and Methods Historical sources and texts on Egyptian medicine were consulted for this study. Results The Anastasi V papyrus (c. 1200 BC) reveals the dire health conditions of farmers and artisans working in cities. The situation of workers engaged in pyramid construction is described in greater detail. These workers faced high accident risks, as evident from the "Edwin Smith" papyrus (c. 1500 BC), which documents a wide range of injuries on construction sites, primarily fractures and dislocations, but also scorpion stings and snake bites. The protection of pyramid builders, typically free men employed by the pharaoh, was entrusted to a group of physicians directly paid by the central government. These doctors not only treated injuries and traumas suffered on the construction site but also advised on workers' nutrition and internal organization of labor. It was understood that these workers, operating in hot and dry climates, required a diet rich in cereals and vegetables, especially wheat, barley, and onions. Similarly, Egyptian physicians advocated for work shifts, generally not exceeding eight hours per day, to be interspersed with adequate rest periods to allow the workers to regain their strength. Conclusions Ancient Egypt displayed greater concern for the health of pyramid construction workers compared to other categories (e.g. farmers, artisans). The physicians appointed by the pharaoh to assist these workers can be considered forerunners of modern occupational doctors.
Riva et al. (Mon,) studied this question.