Peptic Ulcer and Its Complications in Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Texts

Abstract

While the earliest known records on the digestive system were made by Hippocrates in 400 BC, the first description of peptic ulcer was made by Marcellus Donatus in 1586. However, when the cuneiform texts of Ancient Mesopotamia, which provide information on medical subjects, are examined, records of many diseases draw attention. Peptic ulcer is one of the important diseases that draws attention in the medical records of Ancient Mesopotamian societies, especially in the Sakikku series obtained from the Asurbanipal Library. This study is based on the information obtained by comparing the cuneiform documents with the current medical literature. The study aims to reveal that the findings of peptic ulcer disease were recorded earlier than Hippocrates. 10 of the 11 cuneiform texts analysed in this study provide information about epigastric pain, the most prominent symptom of peptic ulcer. Words meaning peptic ulcer are found in 6 texts (Sumerian A.GA.ZI 2, Akkadian tugānu 4) (54.5%). In 3 texts, death is stated as the prognosis if bloody vomiting continues. The term "gastroduodenal disease" in relation to the gastroduodenal resultant, where obstruction and bleeding are common, occurs in 5 texts. In 4 of them (tugānu 3, A.GA.ZI 1), peptic ulcer disease is mentioned (80%). In 4 texts in which "gastric outlet disease" and "peptic ulcer disease" are mentioned together, vomiting also accompanies the disease. Additionally, since the concrete symptoms of peptic ulcer could be identified, the cause of the disease was not attributed to abstract concepts such as the devil, evil spirit, and demon in the related texts. © 2023 Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi. All rights reserved.