الطبيب و القانون في العراق القديم

Abstract EN

Physicians in ancient Mesopotamia were as was the case with all other professions, considered a significant and high-ranking section of society.

They were represented by a guild-like organization very much similar to what is known today us an Association of physicians were specialists in various fields of medicine are included.

Among them there had been the so-called chief physiciana title usually given to experienced physicians with long years of service and extraordinary expertise.

Some of them were nominated as a palace physician by agreement of the king himself.

Some, how'ever, used to practise medicine on their own such as private clinics or surgery.

Yet those should obey certain condilions and regulations set by the state.

Besides, there used to be veterinary medicine practitioners who used to perfom surgery on animals.

Despite the scoecity of legal texts on the practice of medicine and the relation between the physician and his patient or the rights and dwties of each, the code of Hamurabi encompasses Certain articles relevant to this aspect as well as the physician’s legal responsibility (215-225).

It hints at fees and legal responsibility and tackles the profession of surgeons and veterinary physicians since these two branches are the most serious and difficult of all other domains.

It defines the status of the subject and the type of surgery to be per formed as well as the cost or wage the physician imposes on the invalid.

Moreover, it also points out to the kind of punishment imposed on faulty treatment which might end in the death of the patient or handicapping him.

These anlicies, however, did not illustrate the machinery of implementation of the punishment which suggests that they could have been stated by Hamurabi by way of warning no more no less.

No matter what were the causes for stating those punishments, it is significant to point out that Hamurabi code was the first historical document dealing with the duties and rights of physicians which might have as well influenced further legal provisions to this effect.