Autopsy of an Egyptian mummy (Nakht - ROM I)*

Autopsy of a 3200-year-old Egyptian mummy by an international multidisciplinary team yielded much information about diseases of the ancient past. Major contributions were made by the disciplines of anatomy, dentistry, genetics, hematology, histology, microbiology, nuclear medicine, occupational medicine, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, pathology, pediatrics, plastic surgery, radiology and virology. Scientists from Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia ar' Cardiff participated in the investigati.i The following were the main findings of medical interest: skeleton, infection or malnutrition as suggested by Harris's lines in distal femoral metaphyses; muscle (intercostal), cyst of Trichinella spiralis; lungs, deposits of anthracotic pigment and granite particles; spleen, enlargement with evidence of possible rupture; liver, early cirrhosis and calcified ova of Schistosoma sp.; kidney, calcified ova of Schistosoma sp.; and large and small intestines, calcified ova of Schistosoma and Taenia spp. This autopsy demonstrated the value of well coordinated efforts by specialists in various medical disciplines. Such efforts are essential when such a rare scientific endeavour is to yield

*The papers included in this report evolved from a cooperative project with participants from many hranches of medicine, archeology and anthropology. The autopsy organizing committee consisted of the following persons: Toronto: Dr. Gerald D. Hart, Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital, chairman; Mr. Patrick D. Home (pathology), Banting Institute and University of Toronto; Dr. Peter K. Lewin (pediatrics and pathology), Hospital for Sick Children; Dr. N.B. Millet (egyptology), Royal Ontario Museum; Dr. D.F. Rideout (diagnostic radiology), Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. John W. Scott (physiology), Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto; and Dr. W.E. Swinton, Massey College Detroit: Dr. Aidan Cockhurn, Paleopathology Association Drs. Hart, Millet, Scott and Cockhurn served as an editorial committee. Other participating scientists were the following: Toronto: Dr. John Barrie (pathology), Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital; Dr. David Cormack (histology), University of Toronto; Dr. U. de Boni (physiology), University of Toronto: Dr. Gunes N. Ege (nuclear medicine), Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. Ivan D. Elkan (nephrology), Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital; Dr. Victor L. Fornasier (pathology), Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. Charles M. Godfrey (occupational diseases), Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. R.G.V. Hancock (nuclear medicine), Toronto General Hospital; Dr. Derek Harwood-Nash (radiology), Hospital for Sick Children; Mr. A. Hollett (egyptology), Royal Ontario Museum; Mrs. A.L. Kelley (museum assistant), Royal Ontario Museum; Mrs. Inge Kvas (immunohematology), Toronto

a maximum of useful and reliable information. L'autopsie dune momie egyptienne de 3200 ans, par une equipe multidisciplinaire internationale, a permis de recueillir une foule de renseignements sur les maladies des temps anciens. La plupart des travaux effectues dans cette etude relevaient des disciplines suivantes: anatomie, dentisterie, genetique, hematologie,

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histologie, microbiologie, medecine nucleaire, medecine a l'egard doccupation, chirurgie orthopedique, otolaryngologie, pathologie, pediatrie, chirurgie plastique, radiologie et virologie. Des savants de Toronto, de Detroit, de Philadelphie et de Cardiff participerent a cette recherche. Les constatations medicales les plus interessantes furent les suivantes: au point de vue osseux, les lignes de Harris autour du genou gauche semblent indiquer l'infection ou Ia malnutrition; muscles (intercostaux), kyste de Trichinella spiralis; les poumons, dep6ts de pigments anthracosiques et particules de granit; Ia rate, grossissement avec evidence dune possible rupture; le foie, cirrhose precoce et oeufs calcifies de Schistosoma sp.; les reins, oeufs calcifies de Schistosoma sp.; et petit et gros intestin, oeufs calcifies de Schistosoma et Taenia spp. Cette autopsie a demontre Ia valeur d'une collaboration bien organisee entre des specialistes de disciplines medicales diverses. Une telle collaboration est essentielle quand il s'agit de tirer d'entreprises scientifiques de ce genre le maximum de resultats utiles et sOrs.

East General and Orthopaedic Hospital; Dr. M.M. Lenczner (tropical diseases), University of Toronto; Mr. Ronald Leprohon (museum assistant), Royal Ontario Museum; Dr. John A. MeCulloch (orthopedics), St. Michael's Hospital; Dr. G. Ross MacKenzie (anatomy), University of Toronto; Dr. K.G. McNeil (nuclear medicine), Toronto General Hospital; Mr. AJ. Mills (egyptology), Royal Ontario Museum; Dr. J.F. Murray (plastic surgery), Toronto East General and Orhopaedic Hospital; Dr. Thomas A. Patterson (hacteriology), St. Michael's Hospital; Dr. Howard Savage (anthropology), Royal Ontario Museum; Dr. M.L. Soots (hematology), Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital; Dr. Leslie P. Spence (virology), Ranting Institute; Dr. D.W. Stoneman (dentistry), University of Toronto; Dr. Arthur Storey (dentistry), University of Toronto; Dr. Cherk Tam (pathology), Toronto East General and Orthopaedic Hospital; Dr. James S. Thompson (anatomy), University of Toronto; Dr. Margaret Thompson (genetics), Hospital for Sick Children; Mr. John Vollmer (textiles), Royal Ontario Museum; and Dr. Carl W. Wyse (dermatology), Sunnyhrook Medical Centre Detroit: Dr. Rohin A. Barraco (physiology), Wayne State University; Dr. Irving F. Burton (pediatrics); Mrs. Eve G. Cockhurn (editor, Paleopathology Newsletter); Dr. Raymund L.

Henry (physiology), Wayne State University; Dr. George E. Lynn (audiology), Wayne State University; Dr. Henry J. Normile (physiology), Wayne State University; and Dr. Theodore A. Reyman (pathology), Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital and Medical Center Philadelphia: Dr. Michael R. Zimmerman (pathology), University of Pennsylvania Cardiff: Dr E. Pooley, University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire

Autopsy of an Egyptian mummy (Nakht--ROM I).

Autopsy of an Egyptian mummy (Nakht - ROM I)* Autopsy of a 3200-year-old Egyptian mummy by an international multidisciplinary team yielded much infor...
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