I-em-hotep and Ancient Egyptian medicine: II. Prevention of valvular disease The Harveian Oration delivered before the Royal college of physicians on June 21, 1904

In this solemn address, a seasoned physician steps onto the historic platform of the Royal College of Physicians, joining a tradition that stretches back over two and a half centuries. He opens by recalling William Harvey’s legacy of studying the circulatory system and the fellowship’s shared commitment to easing human suffering. The oration is framed as a tribute not only to past benefactors but also to the enduring quest for scientific insight.

The speaker then turns his gaze to the distant banks of the Nile, exploring how early Egyptian rulers and scribes pursued anatomical knowledge long before modern science. He highlights papyrus records that describe systematic investigations of the heart, blood, and even early ideas of circulation, underscoring the ancient emphasis on cleanliness as medicine’s first promise. Finally, he promises a brief foray into practical strategies for preventing valvular disease, linking those time‑honored observations to contemporary preventive care.