Description
Book SynopsisNeurasthenia, meaning nerve weakness, was ‘invented’ in the United States as a disorder of modernity, caused by the fast pace of urban life. Soon after, from the early 1880s onwards, this modern disease crossed the Atlantic. Neurasthenia became much less ‘popular’ in Britain or the Netherlands than in Germany. This book explores neurasthenia’s many-sided history from a comparative perspective.
Trade Review"The volume is an important addition to the historical literature on neurasthenia and should be welcomed as a significant contribution to scholarship." - in: Journal of the History of Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 1 (2006) "Cultures of Neurasthenia is a welcome contribution, not only to history of medicine but also to broader social and cultural history general. …This collection is an inspiring invitation to medical and social historians to join forces and embark on more comparative work." - in: Wellcome History, Vol. 22 (2003) "…a fascinating and colourful book … and a valuable contribution to the history of psychiatry and psychiatric treatment." - in: Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, Vol. 5, No. 2 (2002) "Wer sich also über die Neurasthenie informieren will, greift mit Gewinn zu diesem Sammelband." - in: Gesnerus, Swiss Journal of the History of Medicine and Sciences, Vol. 59 (2002) "…varied and thought-provoking… […] This is […] a timely and welcome volume." - in: Social History of Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 3 (2002) "…worthwhile…" – Mark Welch, in: Metapsychology Online Book Reviews (2002) "…a great collection that deserves a wide readership…" - in: Medical History, 47(2) (April 2003)
Table of ContentsMarijke GIJSWIJT-HOFSTRA: Introduction: Cultures of Neurasthenia from Beard to the First World War Roy PORTER: Nervousness, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Style: From Luxury to Labour Tom LUTZ: Varieties of Medical Experience: Doctors and Patients, Psyche and Soma in America Mathew THOMSON: Neurasthenia in Britain: An Overview Chandak SENGOOPTA: ‘A Mob of Incoherent Symptoms’ ? Neurasthenia in British Medical Discourse, 1860-1920 Hilary MARLAND: ‘Uterine Mischief’: W.S. Playfair and his Neurasthenic Patients Michael NEVE :Public Views of Neurasthenia: Britain, 1880-1930 Doris KAUFMANN: Neurasthenia in Wilhelmine Germany: Culture, Sexuality, and the Demands of Nature Volker ROELCKE: Electrified Nerves, Degenerated Bodies: Medical Discourses on Neurasthenia in Germany, circa 1880-1914 Joachim RADKAU: The Neurasthenic Experience in Imperial Germany: Expeditions into Patient Records and Side-looks upon General History Heinz-Peter SCHMIEDEBACH: The Public's View of Neurasthenia in Germany: Looking for a New Rhythm of Life Joost VIJSELAAR: Neurasthenia in the Netherlands Jessica SLIJKHUIS: Neurasthenia as Pandora's Box? 'Zenuwachtigheid' and Dutch Psychiatry around 1900 Marijke GIJSWIJT-HOFSTRA: In Search of Dutch Neurasthenics from the 1880s to the early-1920s Nelleke BAKKER: A Harmless Disease: Children and Neurasthenia in the Netherlands Christopher E. FORTH: Neurasthenia and Manhood in fin-de-siecle France Sonu SHAMDASANI: Claire, Lise, Jean, Nadia, and Gisele: Preliminary Notes towards a Characterisation of Pierre Janet's Psychasthenia List of Illustrations
