Autopsy of an Egyptian mummy (Nakht--ROM I).

Autopsy of a 3200-year-old Egyptian mummy by an international multidisciplinary team yielded much information about diseases of the ancient past. Major contributions were made by the disciplines of anatomy, dentistry, genetics, hematology, histology, microbiology, nuclear medicine, occupational medicine, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, pathology, pediatrics, plastic surgery, radiology and virology. Scientists from Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia and Cardiff participated in the investigation. The following were the main findings of medical interest: skeleton, infection or malnutrition as suggested by Harris's lines in distal femoral metaphyses; muscle (intercostal), cyst of Trichinella spiralis; lungs, deposits of anthracotic pigment and granite particles; spleen, enlargement with evidence of possible rupture; liver, early cirrhosis and calcified ova of Schistosoma sp.; kidney, calcified ova of Schistosoma sp.; and large and small intestines, calcified ova of Schistosoma and Taenia spp. This autopsy demonstrated the value of well coordinated efforts by specialists in various medical disciplines. Such efforts are essential when such a rare scientific endeavour is to yield a maximum of useful and reliable information.