In Saqqara, in Ankhmahon’s tomb. Visir of the Pharaoh Teti (Dynasty 2345 BC) there is a bas-relief with a representation of circumcision. The hieroglyphics illustrate the dialogue:
The operator laying on the floor on the left tells his assistant, who’s holding the patience’s arms:
“Hold it, quickly, don’t let it fall”
he answers
“I’ll do as you want”.
On the right, instead, the patient says:
“Rub it well, to make it efficacious”
and the operator answers:
“I’ll make it painless, pleasant”.
These last sentences let us suppose that the object in the operator’s hands, on the right, had an anesthetic use, others affirm that it is a sharp tool and that the word “rub” refers to the sharpening.
According to Nunn the circumcision has a ritual meaning to access virility instead of being an hygienic practice as it is usually thought.
This explains better the meaning of the presence of this scene in the dignitary’s tomb, if it refers to himself or to his children, but doesn’t explain the meaning of the dialogue.

 

From “The medical culture in Ancient Egypt” by Roberto Zacco.