DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57036#0052
Introduction
39
From the descriptions of the procedures for the dispelling
of a ban. it becomes evident that the illness to be treated with
therapy was linked to bodily deterioration.183 and could assume
life-threatening forms.184 The indications of the illness named
nevertheless remain largely unspecific; mentioned are “Irritation
of the throat. coughing fits. phlegm (from coughing). fever.
outbreaks of sweating. abdominal pains (connected with)
lost sclf-confidcncc which assail my body”185, and “chills”186
and "headaches”187 and “enfeeblement and exhaustion”.188
It is stated that these complaints ‘‘bring breast and sinews to
trembling”189 and that. in addition to the stomach. the back, sides.
legs. shoulders. rump. hands. and feet are affected.190 Following
the systematics of Mesopotamian lexical texts. the human body
parts all of which had been afflicted “by the ban. the ill malady”
are listed from head to toe within one lipsur litany.191
Those Symptoms portrayed in the cuneiform prognostic and
diagnostic handbook (SA.GIG) and also the instructions on the
preparation of medicines as being characteristic for the terminal,
acute stage of the ban sickness are only found on occasion
within descriptions of the procedures for the dispelling of a ban.
Among these number "stomach-aches”192 and "ill winds roaring
in the stomach”.193 "red and yellow blotches on the head” of
the afflicted.194 and the appearance of fluid retention in the
abdominal cavity (dropsy).195
One reason as to why the Symptoms named remain generally
vague within the procedures for dispelling a ban is certainly to
be sought in the fact that these procedures were to be performed
prophylactically at the earliest possible stage of the postulated
ban sickness196 so that the patient was even to speak of "the
illness from which I suffer. which you. o god. know. which no
other god knows. of which I (also) know nof197 It was expected
thereby that the complaints appeared "day for day. month for
month. and year for year”.198
In the medical texts containing the instructions as to the
preparation and administration of medication against the ban
affliction and in the prognostic diagnostic handbook of the
healers alike. the image sketched is. by contrast. very clearly that
183 Text no. 3. 33; Text no. 48-51. 12.
184 Text no. 3. 33 and. furthermore. Text no. 12. 1. See also Text no. 4-10.
39-40 and 8”. Noticeable within prayers directed to the divine judge
Samas are corresponding epithets emphasising the god’s capacity to
“fill the dead with life“ (Text no. 48-51. 2). and pleas that the life of the
petitioner “be saved“ or “granted“ him or similar (see Text no. 1-2. 12’;
Text no. 3. 22 and 62; Text no. 4-10. 103; Text no. 11. 7‘. 11’ 18’ etc.).
185 Text no. 3. 59-60. On “fever". see also Text no. 4-10. 15" and Text
no. 38-39. 9 ”,
186 Text no. 38-39. 9".
187 Text no. 38-39. 7 ”; Text no. 54. 17’.
188 Text no. 46-17. 53. See also W. R. Mayer. UFBG 515f. 17: “Due to aban.
illness and weariness strike me down day and night” (Samas 88).
189 Text no. 4-10. 38.
190 Text no. 38-39. 11 ”-13 ”,
191 Text no. 34-37. 1 -35’.
192 Text no. 48-51. 14.
193 Text no. 38-39. 11 ”,
194 Text no. 4-10. 1.
195 Text no. 4-10. 3; cf. Text no. 79. 77’. See. on this. also M. Streck. ZA 83.
62-63.1. 15-17.
196 On this. see below p. 41 and p. 46.
197 Text no. 46-47. 18-19.
198 Text no. 63. 3’.
of a grave abdominal illness.199 A representative description of
the appearance of the illness is as follows: “If the upper abdomen
of a human is afflicted repeatedly by (the heat of) fever. his
stomach is upset (and) his stomach will not allow him to absorb
liquids and solids (literally: bread and water), his abdominal wall
(pitrü) slackens ever more. his stomach suddenly begins time and
time again to empty itself through regurgitating. but the (invalid)
cannot vomit. (if bodily) wind in his stomach incessantly moves
about (and) rumbles. his intestines are swollen: This individual
has been seizedby the ban (variant: "the hand of the ban”)”.200 It
is repeatedly indicated that a deadly outcome is to be expected201
from suffering bound to fever202 and severe pains.203 In addition
to bodily decay.204 numbering among the most important
Symptoms are swollen205 and inflamed206 intestines. muscle
defence of the abdominal wall.207 nausea and vomiting.208
expectoration209 and coughing.210 severe flatulence.211 and
diarrhoea.212 Also attested are loss of appetite.213 swollen214 and
discoloured215 eyes. nosebleeds.216 blotches217 and blisters218
of various hues over the entire body. outbreaks of sweating.219
sudden Starts.220 peculiar behaviour.221 and massive breaks in
consciousness.222
This notwithstanding. it is hardly meaningful to discem
one or more illnesses as catalogued within the intemationally
accepted System of Classification for medical diagnoses
199 Cf. the sun eys in J. Scurlock. B. R. Andersen. Diagnoses. 506-509 and
561-562. On abdominal illnesses and maladies of the digestive tract. see.
moreover. M. Haussperger in Gs. Calmeyer and ead.. WdO 32. 33-73.
200 Text no. 70-72. 9-13.
201 See. e.g. BAM 124. col. II. 34 and // AMT 73/1. col. II. 10; SA.GIG
Tablet 13.1.148-149; Tablet 14.1.253’-254’andTablet22.1.16.19-20.21.
202 Text no. 70-72. 9 and 21; Text no. 79. 69’ and 73’; Text no. 80. 23’. See.
moreover. e.g. SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 26-27 and 31 and also BAM 96.
col. 11.21.
203 Text no. 70-72. 3. See. moreover. e.g. SA.GIG Tablet 13. 1. 139 (SÄ SÄ
TA UD.SA9 GÜ.GÜ-xi); Tablet 22. 1. 28 (GABA-xw u sä-sal-la-sü GU7.
ME-xzi), 29-30. 31 (SAG SÄ-xzi i-käs-sa-su).
204 Text no. 70-72. 34; Text no. 76-77. 1-2. See. for example. also BAM 95.
19 (sihhat Siri) and. furthermore. the references quoted in fn. 183.
205 Text no. 70-72. 1 and 13; Text no. 80. 23’. and also. e.g. SA.GIG
Tablet 22.1. 19-20.
206 Text no. 70-72. 21; Text no. 80. 23’.
207 Text no. 70-72. 3 and 32; SA.GIG Tablet 13.1. 157-158.
208 Text no. 70-72. 11 and 33. See moreover SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 25. 26-27.
28 and 32 also Tablet 23.1. 2.
209 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 25 (black). 28 (black) and 31 (black sputum).
210 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 26-27 and 29-30.
211 Text no. 70-72. 4. 12. 33 and the references already named above.
212 Text no. 76-77. 2. See. moreover. also SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 16.
213 BAM 87. 14 and. furthermore. the references named above.
214 SA.GIG Tablet 14.1. 253’ and also STT 89. 203-204.
215 Text no. 80. 31’.
216 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 19-20.
217 AMT 15/3. 16 (= K 67+. 43). and also SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 21. See.
furthermore. Text no. 4-10. 1.
218 BAM584. col. II. 25’.
219 Text no. 79. 73’. Furthermore. see Text no. 3. 60 and Text no. 38-39. 8".
220 BAM 87. 15-16; SA.GIG Tablet 17.1. 80. Furthermore. see the references
named above.
221 SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 17 (constantly voices “cordialities’"; see also
J. Scurlock. B. R. Andersen. 561. Ap. 55-56).
222 Text no. 70-72. 34.
39
From the descriptions of the procedures for the dispelling
of a ban. it becomes evident that the illness to be treated with
therapy was linked to bodily deterioration.183 and could assume
life-threatening forms.184 The indications of the illness named
nevertheless remain largely unspecific; mentioned are “Irritation
of the throat. coughing fits. phlegm (from coughing). fever.
outbreaks of sweating. abdominal pains (connected with)
lost sclf-confidcncc which assail my body”185, and “chills”186
and "headaches”187 and “enfeeblement and exhaustion”.188
It is stated that these complaints ‘‘bring breast and sinews to
trembling”189 and that. in addition to the stomach. the back, sides.
legs. shoulders. rump. hands. and feet are affected.190 Following
the systematics of Mesopotamian lexical texts. the human body
parts all of which had been afflicted “by the ban. the ill malady”
are listed from head to toe within one lipsur litany.191
Those Symptoms portrayed in the cuneiform prognostic and
diagnostic handbook (SA.GIG) and also the instructions on the
preparation of medicines as being characteristic for the terminal,
acute stage of the ban sickness are only found on occasion
within descriptions of the procedures for the dispelling of a ban.
Among these number "stomach-aches”192 and "ill winds roaring
in the stomach”.193 "red and yellow blotches on the head” of
the afflicted.194 and the appearance of fluid retention in the
abdominal cavity (dropsy).195
One reason as to why the Symptoms named remain generally
vague within the procedures for dispelling a ban is certainly to
be sought in the fact that these procedures were to be performed
prophylactically at the earliest possible stage of the postulated
ban sickness196 so that the patient was even to speak of "the
illness from which I suffer. which you. o god. know. which no
other god knows. of which I (also) know nof197 It was expected
thereby that the complaints appeared "day for day. month for
month. and year for year”.198
In the medical texts containing the instructions as to the
preparation and administration of medication against the ban
affliction and in the prognostic diagnostic handbook of the
healers alike. the image sketched is. by contrast. very clearly that
183 Text no. 3. 33; Text no. 48-51. 12.
184 Text no. 3. 33 and. furthermore. Text no. 12. 1. See also Text no. 4-10.
39-40 and 8”. Noticeable within prayers directed to the divine judge
Samas are corresponding epithets emphasising the god’s capacity to
“fill the dead with life“ (Text no. 48-51. 2). and pleas that the life of the
petitioner “be saved“ or “granted“ him or similar (see Text no. 1-2. 12’;
Text no. 3. 22 and 62; Text no. 4-10. 103; Text no. 11. 7‘. 11’ 18’ etc.).
185 Text no. 3. 59-60. On “fever". see also Text no. 4-10. 15" and Text
no. 38-39. 9 ”,
186 Text no. 38-39. 9".
187 Text no. 38-39. 7 ”; Text no. 54. 17’.
188 Text no. 46-17. 53. See also W. R. Mayer. UFBG 515f. 17: “Due to aban.
illness and weariness strike me down day and night” (Samas 88).
189 Text no. 4-10. 38.
190 Text no. 38-39. 11 ”-13 ”,
191 Text no. 34-37. 1 -35’.
192 Text no. 48-51. 14.
193 Text no. 38-39. 11 ”,
194 Text no. 4-10. 1.
195 Text no. 4-10. 3; cf. Text no. 79. 77’. See. on this. also M. Streck. ZA 83.
62-63.1. 15-17.
196 On this. see below p. 41 and p. 46.
197 Text no. 46-47. 18-19.
198 Text no. 63. 3’.
of a grave abdominal illness.199 A representative description of
the appearance of the illness is as follows: “If the upper abdomen
of a human is afflicted repeatedly by (the heat of) fever. his
stomach is upset (and) his stomach will not allow him to absorb
liquids and solids (literally: bread and water), his abdominal wall
(pitrü) slackens ever more. his stomach suddenly begins time and
time again to empty itself through regurgitating. but the (invalid)
cannot vomit. (if bodily) wind in his stomach incessantly moves
about (and) rumbles. his intestines are swollen: This individual
has been seizedby the ban (variant: "the hand of the ban”)”.200 It
is repeatedly indicated that a deadly outcome is to be expected201
from suffering bound to fever202 and severe pains.203 In addition
to bodily decay.204 numbering among the most important
Symptoms are swollen205 and inflamed206 intestines. muscle
defence of the abdominal wall.207 nausea and vomiting.208
expectoration209 and coughing.210 severe flatulence.211 and
diarrhoea.212 Also attested are loss of appetite.213 swollen214 and
discoloured215 eyes. nosebleeds.216 blotches217 and blisters218
of various hues over the entire body. outbreaks of sweating.219
sudden Starts.220 peculiar behaviour.221 and massive breaks in
consciousness.222
This notwithstanding. it is hardly meaningful to discem
one or more illnesses as catalogued within the intemationally
accepted System of Classification for medical diagnoses
199 Cf. the sun eys in J. Scurlock. B. R. Andersen. Diagnoses. 506-509 and
561-562. On abdominal illnesses and maladies of the digestive tract. see.
moreover. M. Haussperger in Gs. Calmeyer and ead.. WdO 32. 33-73.
200 Text no. 70-72. 9-13.
201 See. e.g. BAM 124. col. II. 34 and // AMT 73/1. col. II. 10; SA.GIG
Tablet 13.1.148-149; Tablet 14.1.253’-254’andTablet22.1.16.19-20.21.
202 Text no. 70-72. 9 and 21; Text no. 79. 69’ and 73’; Text no. 80. 23’. See.
moreover. e.g. SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 26-27 and 31 and also BAM 96.
col. 11.21.
203 Text no. 70-72. 3. See. moreover. e.g. SA.GIG Tablet 13. 1. 139 (SÄ SÄ
TA UD.SA9 GÜ.GÜ-xi); Tablet 22. 1. 28 (GABA-xw u sä-sal-la-sü GU7.
ME-xzi), 29-30. 31 (SAG SÄ-xzi i-käs-sa-su).
204 Text no. 70-72. 34; Text no. 76-77. 1-2. See. for example. also BAM 95.
19 (sihhat Siri) and. furthermore. the references quoted in fn. 183.
205 Text no. 70-72. 1 and 13; Text no. 80. 23’. and also. e.g. SA.GIG
Tablet 22.1. 19-20.
206 Text no. 70-72. 21; Text no. 80. 23’.
207 Text no. 70-72. 3 and 32; SA.GIG Tablet 13.1. 157-158.
208 Text no. 70-72. 11 and 33. See moreover SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 25. 26-27.
28 and 32 also Tablet 23.1. 2.
209 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 25 (black). 28 (black) and 31 (black sputum).
210 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 26-27 and 29-30.
211 Text no. 70-72. 4. 12. 33 and the references already named above.
212 Text no. 76-77. 2. See. moreover. also SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 16.
213 BAM 87. 14 and. furthermore. the references named above.
214 SA.GIG Tablet 14.1. 253’ and also STT 89. 203-204.
215 Text no. 80. 31’.
216 SA.GIG Tablet 22.1. 19-20.
217 AMT 15/3. 16 (= K 67+. 43). and also SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 21. See.
furthermore. Text no. 4-10. 1.
218 BAM584. col. II. 25’.
219 Text no. 79. 73’. Furthermore. see Text no. 3. 60 and Text no. 38-39. 8".
220 BAM 87. 15-16; SA.GIG Tablet 17.1. 80. Furthermore. see the references
named above.
221 SA.GIG Tablet 22. 1. 17 (constantly voices “cordialities’"; see also
J. Scurlock. B. R. Andersen. 561. Ap. 55-56).
222 Text no. 70-72. 34.