Injuries and medical care in Homer's Iliad

The Iliad is the first historical text describing military injuries and their treatment. Of the 147 recorded injuries, 31 were to the head, 16 were in the neck area, 79 in the trunk, 10 in the upper limbs and 11 in the lower extremities and the pelvic area. The treatment was applied in a special area that was used as a campaign hospital, and was provided by the doctors of the Achaean camp. The initial concerns were the resting position and stimulation of the injured, followed by removal of the clothes and cleansing of the wound with water, traction of fractures or fastening with straps, cleaning of wounded surfaces by suction, covering with various herbal applications and bandaging. The doctors who offered medical services were the sons of Asklipios, Machaon and Podaleirios, who are considered to be the first documented military doctors, while other comrades-in-arms also offered first aid on the battlefield. In addition to the doctors, two women, Ekamidi and Agamidi, who possessed medical knowledge and are considered to be the first nurses, provided services of care and relief.